The Entertainer - Marvin Hamlisch (1974) 3/16/21

Today's "Great Song of the '70s" was first written and performed 119 years ago, and became a "Great Song of 1902!"

Of course, that was 2 decades before radio, when hits were determined by sales of sheet music, gramophone records...and in this case, player piano rolls!

At the turn of the 20th century, Scott Joplin was the king of ragtime music and "The Entertainer" was one of his absolute best compositions. One critic called it: "A jingling work of a very original character." High praise back then!

As the decades went by, Scott, the song, and ragtime itself were nearly forgotten--until 1970, when, over the course of 4 years, a series of brand new Joplin ragtime albums by Joshua Rifkin hit the top 10 on Billboard's Classical chart--receiving several Grammy nominations.

Then, in 1973, Marvin Hamlisch adapted "The Entertainer" (and several other ragtime pieces) for the "The Sting," starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The film received 10 Oscar nominations, winning seven of them, including "Best Picture," Best Original Screenplay," and for Marvin, "Best Original Song Score and Adaptation."

When "The Entertainer" was released as a single in 1974, it reached #3 on Billboard's Hot 100. Record World Magazine called it "the classical phenomenon of the decade."

And rightfully so. After 72 years, Scott Joplin was back on the charts--thanks to an Oscar, a hit record, lots of radio airplay...and probably some sheet music and player piano rolls, too!

"The Entertainer:" a "Great Song of 1902--and 1974!"

Marvin Hamlisch: