Marvin Hamlisch R.I.P.

We went to see The Sting in 1973 when it first came out and loved it. It was a clever plot, Paul Newman and Robert Redford did a great job, but what really made the movie was its musical score. I had grown up on ragtime music but somehow had missed Scott Joplin. Marvin Hamlisch, however, had not and he brilliantly wove Joplin throughout the movie setting exactly the right tone. Hamlisch died this week after a distinguished career. He scored movies, plays, and wrote individual songs as well, earning Emmy, Tony, Oscar and Grammy awards along the way - one of only 11 Americans in history to do so. He was only 68 when he died and it would have been nice to have him with us a while longer to share his talent. Thanks for the memories, though, Marvin Hamlisch; may you rest in peace.