Peter Nero, A Grammy-Winning Pianist Of The Philly Pops, Dies At 89

THE PHILADELPHIA TIMES — Peter Nero, a Grammy-winning pianist who interpreted pop tunes in classical and jazz styles and conducted the Philadelphia Pops for over three decades, has died. Nero was 89 years old.

According to his daughter, Beverly Nero, Nero died Thursday at Home Care Assisted Living Facility in Eustis, Fla., according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Private services will be provided.

Nero infused classical, swing, Broadway, blues, and jazz themes into his versions of popular songs ranging from Cole Porter and George Gershwin to the Beatles and Bob Dylan. He frequently referred to his sound as “undefinable” and was not offended when others referred to it as “middle of the road.” (He previously told a newspaper that he was “middle of the road and doing great business.”)

Nero founded the Philly Pops orchestra in 1979, the year Arthur Fiedler died, after being recruited by Philadelphia concert promoter Moe September. Fiedler is credited with practically establishing the modern pops orchestra in Boston, and Nero sought to compete in popularity.

“I’d like to beat the pants off them,” Nero declared.

Nero’s orchestra was less well-known than Boston’s, but it often sold out in Philadelphia, which was undoubtedly aided by Nero’s vibrant playing style and pleasant stage persona.

In his career as both performer and conductor, Nero frequently returned to Broadway tunes, Hollywood themes, and Gershwin, the subject of the Philly Pops’ first concert. He also delved into Motown’s back catalog and further afield to bands like Procol Harum and an album devoted to disco and ’70s love songs.

“I find it impossible to use a lot of the new material that’s coming out,” he lamented to The Washington Post in 1975. My repertoire includes some rock tunes… but many rock bands sell a sound rather than music. When you take the tune apart, there’s nothing to work with.”

He headed the Philadelphia Pops until 2013 when the orchestra said it could no longer afford him.

Peter Nero, a Grammy-winning pianist who interpreted pop tunes in classical and jazz styles and conducted the Philadelphia Pops for over three decades, has died.

According to Nero, he battled early in his career — under the alias Bernie Nerow — in New York and Las Vegas. However, he found his stride in his late twenties while playing on New York’s club circuit.

Stan Greeson, who regarded him as a potential star, signed him to RCA and had him change his name to Peter Nero. Over a decade, a constant stream of early 1960s club gigs led to frequent radio and TV appearances and two dozen RCA LPs.

Nero won Grammy Awards for best new artist in 1961 and best performance by an Orchestra or Instrumentalist in 1962 for his album “The Colourful Peter Nero.”

“Hail the Conquering Nero,” a 1963 album, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard pop album list. It featured covers of “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” and “Mack the Knife.”

He also peaked with a cover of “Theme from ‘The Summer of ’42,'” by Michel Legrand for the 1971 film. Nero’s rendition peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Nero also wrote the score for Jane Fonda’s 1963 film “Sunday in New York” and appeared in it.

Nero was born Bernard Nierow in 1934 and raised in Brooklyn. He began taking piano lessons at the age of seven, and by the age of eleven, he was believed to be able to play Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D Major from memory. He later received a Juilliard scholarship, won various talent contests, and graduated from Brooklyn College.

Nero loathed having a set list when he was the headliner and would choose songs on the spot. The Philly Pops adopted the concept of blending styles and genres.

“My programmes for the Philly Pops may open with ‘Die Meistersinger,’ then ‘Chariots of Fire,’ then Enesco’s Rumanian Rhapsodies,’ then a television theme,” Nero told The New York Times in 1982. “I keep going back and forth, and the audience has bought it from the beginning.”

SOURCE – (AP)