Wayne Johnson

So sorry to hear this. I still remember his sensitive and moving rendition of "Scarlet Ribbons" when I was pianist for the Soldier's Chorus in the early 1970's.

As the tributes for Major Fricano pour in, I want to briefly add mine. Sam Fricano was the officer who auditioned me as pianist for the Soldier's Chorus back in late 1969. I was pretty nervous but was told by another Field Band member that Sam was a trumpet player so I should just play the loudest and fastest piece I knew and that he would be impressed. That revelation relieved me a bit, so I sat down and played Liszt's Mephisto Waltz! He liked my playing but little did I know that he was an accomplished pianist as well. Later I found out first-hand. I was in the big rehearsal hall working on an arrangement of the theme from "Love Story"  to perform with a group from the chorus when Sam came in, listened for a while, then sat down beside me and offered to show me some juicy, jazzy chord changes for my arrangement. I was blown away by his generosity and musical knowledge and gladly incorporated his suggestions. He was just that kind of guy. I wrote to him a few months ago and included a commercial CD I recorded a few years ago of some solo piano music--old musical chestnuts that I though he might enjoy from the golden age of the piano. Although I knew he was in no shape to respond, I do hope he remembered me as one among many who respected and admired him greatly. 

Richard was my barracks roommate when I joined the Field Band in 1970 and he was a groomsman at my wedding about a year later! I'm so glad the two of us have stayed in touch and remained friends all these years!

I really liked and admired Major Fricano. I remember auditioning for him in the early 70's for the position of piano accompanist for the Soldier’s Chorus. I was a bit nervous about having to sight-read some choral music he gave me, but evidently he liked my playing enough to hire me. What I didn’t realize until later was that he was a good pianist himself. In fact, one day he sat with me at the piano and helped me figure out some cool jazz chords for a popular song I was working on. I never forgot that. A first-class, multi-talented man, for sure!