Van Dyke Parks - 70 years old today!

[rn57]

I just remembered that....surprising nobody else seems to have mentioned it here yet, but there it is - he's reached threescore and ten.  I remember reading in an interview where he said something like it was always a surprise for him to get up nowadays, feeling just the same as when he wrote Smile's lyrics and Song Cycle, go to the bathroom, look in the mirror, and find his father staring back at him.  

May he stay forever young, to borrow a couple of words from the guy that Phil Ochs introduced him to in the Village a while back...

And may he have a very happy birthday, and many more to come...

[ontor pertawst]

Isn't it about time Hal Willner did some kind of tribute to Parks? He's the freakin' Zelig of music.

'appy birthday, VDP, you magnificent bastard!

[bgas]

Happy Bday VDP; 70 years young( not old)

[FatherOfTheMan Sr101]

(It's my Birthday, and George Martin's, and John Paul Jones as well!)

[rn57]

Also the birthday of Steve Stills, a close pal of VDP's in the pre-Smile days....didn't they audition for the Monkees together?

[Rocky Raccoon]

Coincidentally, I watched the Twin Peaks episode he was in today.

One of the most underrated songwriters of his generation, happy birthday Van Dyke!

[Don Malcolm]

 Late to the party, hope that VDP received a string of birthday visitors from the Spanish and Indian home, and that someone clanged the Yankee Reaper in his honor...

[The Heartical Don]

Allow me to join the queue -

a very happy 70th birthday to one of my select group of greatest musicians of all time: mr Van Dyke Parks!

(I should have written: 'composers/musicians/arrangers/producers/lyricists/raconteurs/polymaths/interviewees', of course.)

[The Shift]

Me too… great guy, very affable, extremely gifted, deserves another 70 years.  But I hope this is one of the best!

[Lowbacca]

Coincidentally, I watched the Twin Peaks episode he was in today.

One of the most underrated songwriters of his generation, happy birthday Van Dyke!

 

All the best, Mr VDP!

[SonicVolcano]

Happy B-day, VDP! Thanks for your wonderful lyrics.

[Micha]

The night of his birthday, just when I wanted to go to bed, my favorite radio station (NDR Info) played Live Let Live from TLOS and Cabin Essence (TSS mix) to honor VDP. No solo tracks though.

[rn57]

The night of his birthday, just when I wanted to go to bed, my favorite radio station (NDR Info) played Live Let Live from TLOS and Cabin Essence (TSS mix) to honor VDP. No solo tracks though.

No matter how late it gets, I'd be ready to spare six or seven more minutes for Van Dyke.  Just thinking about his Jump! music right now fills me with happiness and contentment, which is always a good feeling to have before bedtime.

[KittyKat]

I recently watched a "Lost Honeymooners" episode on Me-TV that had Van Dyke playing Tommy Manicotti. Cute little tyke, must have been about 11 or 12 years old and looked even younger. 

[PS]

(It's my Birthday, and George Martin's, and John Paul Jones as well!)

and mine...

[Amy B.]

One of the most underrated songwriters of his generation, happy birthday Van Dyke!

Maybe not underrated but little known?
Happy belated birthday, Van Dyke!