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Steven Rappaport Obituary
Steven Millman Rappaport, a renowned musician, composer, author, and civil rights attorney, died peacefully of cardiac arrest while vacationing in Hawaii on July 4, 2007. He was 64 years old.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, to Stanley and Sybil Rappaport, Steven grew up in Villas, NJ. He attended George School in Bucks County, PA, obtained his BA from Brandeis University in 1964, and received graduate degrees from NYU Law School and Harvard University.
While at Brandeis, Rappaport and his cousins John Spirt and Robert Rappaport formed The Ran-Dells. â€Å"Martian Hop" was their first and best known single, charting as high as No. 16 on Billboard's Top 100 in 1963 and reaching No.1 in many countries overseas. Its success was attributed in large part to the innovative sounds cooked up by Steven in the recording studio; they caught the ear of the legendary Gerry Goffin, who passed the trio's tape on to producer Don Kirschner.
In the 1970s Steven changed direction and focused as an attorney on civil liberties, working as a public defender in Miami, Florida. His passion for music continued to grow, however, and as music began to merge with technology Steven became interested in electronic music. In 1982 his book, "The Complete Guide to Synthesizers," was adopted by many universities as the definitive text on the subject. In 1990 Steven founded Interactive Records. The company produced several CD-ROMs including The Book of Midi, So You Want to Be a Rock and Roll Star, which won a gold CINDY award for best Adult Education CD-ROM of 1992, and Radio Active.
In 2002 Steven retired to Eugene, Oregon with his wife and stepson. There he continued to play old rock and roll (often under the stage name Ace Luxo), host the chat/music website Let's Talk Oldies (letstalkoldies.com), make regular visits to his daughter and granddaughter in Portland, debate current events with friends, and live life to the fullest. He will be remembered as a kind, generous, playful, passionate, giving, loving man and will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will take place in Eugene, Oregon on August 4, 2007. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Civil Liberties Union.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Steven Rappaport
wayne wachtell
July 25, 2025
Rest In Peace ! Thanks for the tunes
wayne wachtell
July 25, 2024
HI STEVE ! Rest assured you tune is still on the airwaves I heard it a few weeks ago on satellite radio! You cheked out but the tune is still rocking ! Rest In Peace!
wayne wachtell
September 23, 2023
HI STEVE! I heard your tune Martian Hop on the oldies channel on satellite radio !!!! A Kool Tune ! Thanks ! Also tell your John Spirit I said hello!! Both of you guys Rest In Peace
Erich Habich-Traut
September 19, 2023
"We have just discovered an important note from space. The Martians plan to throw a dance for all the human race."
Steve Rappaport: "This is funny! A discovery of any note from space would likely be the most important in human history. To say that we've discovered an important note implies that we could have discovered an unimportant note. It's just ridiculous. And then the idea that they want to throw a dance for us ... well ... seriously silly."
In memory of the Ran-Dells. 19.09.2023
Linda Gaeta
July 25, 2022
I will always remember you, Steven ... my music mentor, accompanist, and dear friend! Malcolm is gone, too, now so I am alone with River Deep, Mountain High forever. love and peace always
Linda J (Scarabino) Gaeta
July 7, 2016
July 2016
your candle will burn forever
The Girl from Greenwich Village
Linda J (Scarabino) Gaeta
July 7, 2016
oh, Steven -- here it is, near your times in July, but in 2016. think of you so often, call you my Music Mentor and dear friend. have been attached to TopShelf Oldies for a year now, and am still attached to Malcolm and Serina. voted for you re. PBS. visited The Village with TSO boss in June and we backtracked to NYU, The Fountain, Ste-bun's apartment, and of course MacDougal and Bleecker Streets, the café where we sang. Figaro is gone, so is the Night Owl. TSOs streaming station plays Martian Hop and Sidekicks often, without my requesting either! wanted so badly to phone you and ignored Malcolm's advice to "just do it" and time just passed. he told me of your passing and I vowed never to let that procrastination ever ruin me again. I can still see your head tilted to one side and your smile as we played and sang around your piano. Rescue Me, What Now My Love, ... and I Got You Babe! for you always. holding your memory in my heart and in my mind's ears forever. thank you for all you taught me. love and peace and thank you for you. see you in Rock 'n' Roll Hell!
Linda J Gaeta
August 4, 2008
something drew me to look at Steven's Obituary again this morning, which last year was the date of the Memorial Service.
have thought of him many times during this past year, and send again thoughts and prayers to Julie and Candyce and children.
love and peace,
Linda (Scarabino) Gaeta, NYC
Jennifer Frahm
April 14, 2008
I never knew Steve personally, but have been touched by his story and what he offered to some of the best music that we will have the privilege of hearing. He was an artist and will be dearly missed as such, and as so much more.
Zack Bocelle
February 4, 2008
It saddens me very deeply to lose such a wonderful friend. Steven will forever remain in my heart as the fifth Redcoat. It was an honor to have worked with him in the studio, and to have been reunited with him as he worked on the Meet the Redcoats CD. We owe him so much.
Peace, Love, Rock and Roll,
Zack Bocelle
Elizabeth Sterenberg Shulman
August 13, 2007
Dearest Julie and Candyce,
You both and Steve are very much in my mind and heart. Steve was one of the first people I knew as a friend from early childhood in Del Haven,Villas. While years sometimes lapsed between contact, each reunion was more touching and more joyful than the last--catching up and reminiscing. No friendship is sweeter and more comforting than friendship born in childhood.
Visions of his profound kindness to my parents during their vulnerable times still brings grateful tears to my eyes. And smiles--can't think of Steve without smiling--what a legacy. I'm sure he would like that.
So now another reason to learn to be open to the universe and to trust in the beyond--where everything is still possible.
With love and wishes for peace, comfort and happiness,
Malcolm Collins
August 5, 2007
Steven was my oldest and closest friend. We met in 1964 in Greenwich Village NY, brought together by our mutual love of music. We would get together every Sunday and sit around "the fountain" in Washington Square Park and play folk music. We would sit in his apartment for hours and listen to music (much of it being plpayed on the piano by Steven), and talk.
Steven had a love for music, and for people. He was special. This world will miss him. I will miss him.
Linda J (Scarabino) Gaeta
August 5, 2007
... and flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest, Steven, as long as you are conducting.
love and peace to Julie and Family
Penny Sue Artman Spirt
August 4, 2007
Julie/Candyce: This site is PERFECT: just like the excellent Life of my beloved friend & cousin, & often mentor; my Steven, my dearest of human beings; You captured the amazing essence of his wonderful, rich, giving, PLAYFUL, fun, joy-spreading, kind, productive, creative genius enriched, sweetest of all lives; I'm not exagerataing; I knew him closely from age 9. and I want to share a poem I wrote for another dear one in my family who passed; dedicated to those who die before their time, this poem verse was one of dear Steven's favorites; I am honored to say it gave him comfort in his last months...."We the living long for you; Have a pleasant flight, to you new world, of Gardens deep and bright." No words can describe how much we all miss you, dearest cousin, but I know you are off somewhere we could never imagine, fulfilling yet again, one more perfect dream..... Blessings to Candyce, Julie, Anna.... & the rest of the gang...
Joanne Sarris-Haigh
July 31, 2007
Dearest Candyce and family,
It was so comforting to find out what a fulfilling life Steven lived. He had soo many accomplishments to be proud of. He indeed lived life to the fullest and seemed like he enjoyed every minute of it! We could all learn for him.
We shall miss him very much, and will always remember the uplifting and contagious spirit that he shared with everyone around him.
He is truly blessed to have such a wonderful family who will share his love and memories for an eternity.
May you be at peace today and always.
with all our love,
Joanne, Mike, Peter and Athan
Annah James
July 31, 2007
Oh, Julie, Candyce...I am so touched. You truly captured his multi-dimensional self - it brings tears to my eyes. We all miss him so... My heart is with you both, you know that.
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