Stan Kann (December 9, 1924 – September 29, 2008) received national recognition in the 1960s when he was a frequent guest on The Tonight Show and daytime television talk shows, showcasing his collection of vacuum cleaners. Kann also was known among theatre organ aficionados for his 22-year tenure as resident organist at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missour
Kann, a native of St. Louis, began playing the organ at age 4. He majored in classical organ at Washington University in St. Louis. In the late 40’s, he convinced the management of the Fox Theatre in St Louis to allow him to refurbish the 4-36 Fox Special Wurlitzer which had lain idle for twenty years and became official house organist in 1952. Kann served as the theater’s resident organist until 1974, four years before the Fox closed.
The theater was rebuilt and refurbished in 1981. And immediately upon reopening, Stan Kann returned.
When we attended an Army Reunion in September of 2008, it was arranged for us to tour the theater and to have Stan Kann play for us! He was amazing, and we all enjoyed the concert, his comical anecdotes and cheery smile.
Later that month, Stan Kann died from complications of open heart surgery. We were so blessed to have met him and heard his concert. He was amazing and looking back, what a priveledge!