Tampa Theatre organist Rosa Rio dies at 107 listen
05/14/10 Seán KinaneWMNF Drive-Time News Friday | Listen to this entire show:
Tags: Rosa Rio, Tampa Theatre, music, film
The legendary Tampa Theatre organist Rosa Rio has died at the age of 107. She began playing organ at movie theaters nearly a century ago.
Tara Schroeder, Tampa Theatre’s Director Programming and Marketing, was a co-worker and a friend. "She was loved by everyone," said Schroeder.
Rosa Rio was interviewed for StoryCorps early in 2009. She said, "I just love the organ."
There will be a public memorial for Rosa Rio at Tampa Theatre on Saturday, June 5, at 11:00 a.m.
Tampa Theatre memorial for Rosa Rio
Rosa Rio being interviewed by Tara Schroeder at WMNF for StoryCorps
Comments
Rosa Rio farewellThis ends an era. Rosa was the last of the original silent film accompanists still working. The three remaining survivors I knew all died in the last nine months. A great loss to early American cinema.
We lost a treasure
Rosa Rio was the embodiment of an era, an era we actually revived in Tampa. Make no mistake, this woman was a state Treasure, and should be remembered as such.
