Elliot Gorlin 

FAYM board member—President 2019-2023

 

What words would you use to describe yourself? How might others describe you? 

Caring, non-judgmental, ready to help, solution finder. Hopefully, others see me the same way.

 

Where were you born? What location feels most like home?

New York City, NY. Forever a Long Islander.

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What role, if any, did music play in your childhood?​

My love of music began as a pre-schooler. I played 6 different instruments as a child with the recorder being my first, at 5 years of age. My mother and I would take the bus to Queens College every Saturday for recorder lessons. At first I was reluctant to go. Then, as I developed more confidence in my ability to play, I couldn’t wait to get on the bus. I remember playing “Greensleeves” in the final recital to a standing ovation!

My introduction to classical music began in the eighth grade when my music teacher played Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto for the class. Since I played trumpet at the time, I was hooked!

 

Which instruments do you play, did you play, or do you wish you had played? 

Today, I am instrument-less. Growing up, I played the recorder, trumpet, baritone horn, oboe, flute and keyboard with a high school band (that eventually became the group “Brooklyn Bridge.”).

 

Did you know Johnny Maestro? (lead singer with three top-selling vocal groups in the 50s and 60s: The Del-Satins, The Crests, and Brooklyn Bridge) 

Yes, I met him in 1968 at a night club on Long Island. That was the same night that the Brooklyn Bridge was formed. It included members of the Del Satins, the group that backed up Dion; Maestro and the “Rhythm Method” band which I was involved with in high school. By that time, Carolyn Wood, a fellow classmate, had replaced me on the keyboard. She was definitely more talented than I. Tommy Sullivan, shown with the saxophone in the photo, became the music director for the new group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Elliot, the top left, with his high school band in Hicksville, New York, circa 1963

 

Who are some of the most influential people in your life?

Besides my parents, I took inspiration from my teachers, specifically Donald Holmes, my Art teacher and mentor in high school. He was the sole reason I decided to major in Education in college. Being active in the music business for just under 25 years, many of the people I met along the way were also inspirational and shaped my career. This included my wife Gloria, who was then Music Director at WPLJ-FM, New York’s ABC flagship station. As a young child, I also had the privilege of meeting Leonard Bernstein at one of his New York Philharmonic children’s concerts at Lincoln Center.

What passion/s or creative outlet/s have you focused on in your life?

Art and design have always dominated my creativity. I love to travel and explore different parts of the world. My passion is ocean and river cruising, especially on the rivers of Europe.

 

What accomplishment/s are you most proud of?  

First and foremost, raising a beautiful family with the high values Gloria and I instilled. I have three wonderful and successful grown children and five beautiful granddaughters, ages 3 to 25.

 

Career wise, I was proud to help grow a chain of local record stores from 3 to 120 units on the east coast.  I was the first to develop and execute an 8-way multi-media promotion between a concert venue, recording artist (Billy Joel), record label, radio station, local newspaper, county government, local charity and music retailer. I also worked closely with MTV founder, Bob Pittman and Columbia Records to develop the music video as a new medium. 

   

What advice would you give to your younger self or to young musicians? 

To my younger self, I would say: “Try not to do it all. Develop an idea and delegate.” The best advice I can give to young musicians is to stick with it and don’t give up! It only gets better from here.

 

What would you like your FAYM legacy to be? 

Ready to help in any way to assure success of the mission and goals of the organization through image building and outreach.

 

Describe an activity or experience that helped prepare you for your involvement with FAYM.

Being involved with music for most of my life and my Childhood Education college major set the background. Additionally, my career in music marketing and volunteer activity with other music related non-profits helped round out my experience. With the Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild (now “League”), I helped organize and chaperone afternoon concerts for children from CCSD elementary schools, encouraging music appreciation. 

 

What kinds of music do you like? How how this changed over your lifetime?

I like and listen to all genres of music. It has always been that way. I’m partial to classical music, the big band sound and rock n’ roll oldies from the 50s and 60s. I just might be severe competition for the title of “Dr. Doo-Wop.” [Interviewer’s note: While living on the East Coast,1959-61, I danced a few times on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, the wildly popular after-school television show. Although my husband Chris gave me the nickname “Dr. Doo-Wop,” I may defer to Elliot. After all, had he continued with the group that became Brooklyn Bridge, he would have performed on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1968!] 

 

Describe something that most people don’t know about you. 

I am a caring and compassionate person who would do most anything to help anyone.

As for a single most memorable experience that only a few know about, I proudly shook John F. Kennedy’s hand at a Long Island campaign rally in 1959. I was 13 at the time.

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Still Plays With Trains