Bill LaVorgna and Liza July 28th, 1991 - from the collection of Billy Stritch

From NorthJersey.com

Bill LaVorgna, 74; music director for Liza Minnelli

Wednesday, August 8, 2007
By JAY LEVIN
STAFF WRITER

Back in the day, no one at Paterson Central High School played a meaner set of drums than Bill LaVorgna.

"He was the most popular boy in school," said the girl who married the musical prodigy in 1953.

"And he got off to play with the USO," Joan LaVorgna said. "That would annoy us."

Bill LaVorgna, who grew up on Ryerson Avenue in Paterson's Totowa section, went on to perform with show business greats: Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Sammy Davis Jr., Pat Boone and Barry Manilow, among others. For more than 30 years, he was musical director for Garland's daughter, Liza Minnelli.

Mr. LaVorgna, 74, died at his home in Stuart, Fla., on July 31, two days after suffering a heart attack.

This week and next, he was to accompany Minnelli on a concert tour of Spain and Monaco.

Minnelli, who was 11 years old when her mother signed Mr. LaVorgna to a contract in 1957, offered a tribute to the man she called "Pappy" on her Web site, officiallizaminnelli.com.

In a broadcast interview last year, Mr. LaVorgna discussed his long association with Minnelli:

"When the red light's on and we're working, it's dead serious. But other than that, she treats my kids like they're family."

"Liza calls me every day," Joan LaVorgna said. "She has been a part of our family."

Mr. LaVorgna took up the drums as a child. Jack Smith, who lived across the street from the LaVorgna family, remembered neighborhood musicians -- including the future jazz guitar great John "Bucky" Pizzarelli -- flocking to his classmate's house for jam sessions.

Smith said young Bill knew where his destiny lay.

"Bill was a very good athlete," said Smith, of West Paterson, "but he gave up sports to protect his hands."

After graduating from Paterson Central in 1951, Mr. LaVorgna attended New York University, earning degrees in education and music. He was never without work; his wife said his 10,000 recording dates in New York City must be some sort of record.

Early in their marriage, the LaVorgnas lived in Paterson and Kinnelon.

Besides his wife, Mr. LaVorgna is survived by three sons, David of Baltimore and Mark and Blaise, both of Salisbury, Md., and six granddaughters.

The family is holding a memorial service Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Md.

I'm so honored to have received an e-mail for all of us, from Pappy's Grandaughter, Gabrielle LaVorgna, a dear soul, who spent last summer on the road with Bill and Liza.  Enjoy.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Important: Please Read ASAP - Bill LaVorgna
Date:   8/1/2007 8:22:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: "LaVorgna"


My name is Gabrielle LaVorgna and I am the grandaughter of the late Bill LaVorgna. I have been reading the updates you have had on Liza's website on my father's condition and I feel it is only right someone from our family send a short message to the people out there who cared about my grandfather. Below, I have written a short sentiment thanking everyone for their thoughts and prayers and also answer the question in regards to making donations in my grandfather's name. Should you decide not to put my short statement on the site, that's perfectably understandable, but I did want to make it known that our family does sincerely appreciate the sentiments. Thank you once again.

Sincerely,

Gabrielle LaVorgna

As all of you are now aware, Bill LaVorgna, a man I am proud to call my grandfather, passed away on Tuesday morning. The days following his heart attack on Saturday have been some of the toughest that our family has ever faced. The thoughts and prayers that all of you have directed towards the man you know as Pappy and his entire family have been wonderful and I am eternally grateful for them as is my family.

Music was one of my grandfather's passions in addiction to fishing. Despite "retiring" years ago, he continued to perform right through the end of his life. The seat at a drum-set was one of the best for him and he was always happy to meet any fans after shows. Without music, he would not have been the same person that he was.

If anyone wishes to show their respect for my grandfather, memorial contributions may be made to either your local Salvation Army or to The Recreational Fishing Alliance (PO Box 3080, New Gretna, NJ 08224)

Thank you once again and good wishes to you all.

Gabrielle LaVorgna

Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 2:45 PM

Just spoke with Liza a little while ago, and she sends everyone her love and thanks for all the support. Also, everything is set, they're still leaving on Monday for the tour overseas, so all concerts are proceeding -- no changes to the schedule.

Thanks again everyone for all the wonderful messages and kindess. As information comes in for tributes to Pappy, etc., I'll keep you posted as much as possible.

Love,

Scott S.

www.tcpalm.com

Broadway musician Bill LaVorgna has died at 74

Originally published 02:25 p.m., August 1, 2007 Updated 03:09 p.m., August 1, 2007

STUART — Broadway musical director Bill LaVorgna, 74, died at his home here on Tuesday. He had suffered a heart attack while walking his dog on Sunday.

LaVorgna was known as the musical director for singer Liza Minnelli and her mother Judy Garland. He was an accomplished musician and drummer.

Born in Paterson, N.J., on June 3, 1933, he graduated from New York University with a musical degree. He was a veteran of the Korean War and more than six decades in the entertainment field, performing with such greats as Garland, Minnelli, Frank Sinatra and Dizzy Gillespie.

Minnelli’s Website, www.officiallizaminnelli.com, announced LaVorgna’s death, and urged everyone to pray for his family. A formal statement, it said, would be forthcoming.

His son, Mark said, that before moving to Florida, he made his residence in Princess Anne, Md., for 20 years. Prior to that, the family lived in Walton, N.Y., and Sussex, N.J.

He said that aside from his musical passion, his father was an avid sportsman with a love of the outdoors and most especially deep sea fishing. The family raised and trained sporting dogs for decades on their Windswept Farm.

LaVorgna is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan; his three sons, Mark, Blaise, and David, all of Maryland, and six granddaughters.

Memorial contributions may be made to either The Salvation Army or The Recreational Fishing Alliance ( PO Box 3080 , New Gretna , NJ 08224).

A memorial service will be Aug. 12 at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Salisbury, Md., for friends and family.

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007  2:45 PM

Sad news to pass along.  Bill LaVorgna passed away this morning. 

Please know that Liza is grateful for all your love and support, and all the prayers for Bill, Joan, and the family. 

Tonight's concert is still happening, and Thursday's will also.  Any updates to the schedule will of course be on the website, as they come through. 

We all deal with loss in our own ways.  I personally can't think of a better way or a better tribute to the dear soul Pappy was and IS, than to share the gift of music that they both cherished for over 30 years together, tonight, and every night that Liza steps onto a stage. 

Thanks everyone.  I'm grateful to Casey, to Beverly, to Sue Meyer, and of course to Liza, for reaching out to me and to all of us.

Scott  S.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

[from officiallizaminnelli@yahoogroups]:

I'll try to find out ASAP how Liza feels about Joan and the family receiving sympathy cards, etc, or if there's any charity that can be donated to in Bill's name. However, I hope you'll understand that I'm going to try to give Liza and everyone as much time to make their choices about such things. Remember this is a sad and stressful time for everyone, and I don't want to be putting any pressure on anyone to make those choices right this second -- especially considering there are still concerts going on this week, and traveling, etc., along with arrangements that must be made, and many other things. So, thanks in advance for your paitence, and as I hear anything that is to be passed along, I will.

Thanks again to everyone for their outpouring of support, for Pappy, Joan, the family, Liza, and me, too.

Love,

Scott S.