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DavidDvorkin

(20,288 posts) Sun Jul 27, 2025, 03:59 PM Jul 27

Tom Lehrer, Musical Satirist Whose Influence Peaked in the '50s and '60s, Dies at 97 [View all]

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Tom Lehrer, a mathematician and satirist whose musical influence peaked in the 1950s and ’60s with his topical songs, died on Saturday. He was 97.

Lehrer died at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his friend, David Herder, told The New York Times.

Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/tom-lehrer-dead-musical-satirist-1236330485/

29 replies

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Tom Lehrer, Musical Satirist Whose Influence Peaked in the '50s and '60s, Dies at 97 [View all] DavidDvorkin Jul 27 OP

I can sing the "Vatican Rag" by heart crimycarny Jul 27 #1

me too - some what? 60 years later rurallib Jul 27 #7

Wow! He was legendary. bif Jul 27 #2

Pure genius Botany Jul 27 #3

I grew up listening to Lehrer. nocoincidences Jul 27 #4

HERE's one! elleng Jul 27 #5

Well, it's Sunday and I'm free. Girard442 Jul 27 #8

Classic! mwmisses4289 Jul 27 #12

My fav: EX500rider Jul 27 #6

I preferred this one Warpy Jul 27 #10

So much of his material is just as relevant today synni Jul 27 #9

Yes! In many ways, that's what's most impressive about his work. TheRickles Jul 28 #26

OMG I just said on DU like 2 weeks ago how glad I am I can still refer to him in the present tense AZJonnie Jul 27 #11

My two favorites mwmisses4289 Jul 27 #13

Mine too! crimycarny Jul 28 #27

Tom Clouds Passing Jul 27 #14

RIP... 2naSalit Jul 27 #15

What a great, funny, smart talent Wild blueberry Jul 27 #16

I had no Idea he was still around sky_masterson Jul 27 #17

Inventor of the Jell-O shot! Hassin Bin Sober Jul 27 #18

Pollution, pollution Marthe48 Jul 27 #19

Nooooo! This one bothers me so much. AllyCat Jul 27 #20

What a great man! Festivito Jul 27 #21

I've been singing this fun one every Christmas for over half a century. steventh Jul 27 #22

Interesting brief interview a year ago. steventh Jul 27 #23

Haven't seen confirmation elsewhere, but saw it mentioned that with his death all his music is now in public domain. ificandream Jul 28 #24

Almost right CloudWatcher Jul 28 #25

RIP. I know Vatican Rag, and Nat'l Brotherhood week, and a line that goes... electric_blue68 Jul 28 #28

RIP, Tom. I know Nat'l Brotherhood Wk, and Vatican Rag, plus the line... electric_blue68 Jul 28 #29