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Mike Corda Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Mike Corda
Richard Landsman
August 18, 2013
I was a friend to Julie Corda almost 35 years ago. We met in Great Neck, New York and she spoke often of her father, Mike. Unfortunately, we lost touch. My belated condolences to Julie.
Patty Wilson
April 29, 2013
I met Mike & his wonderful wife Helen, when I sang in a local play in Vegas in 1994..."Torch Song Trilogy." Helen also performed in the play.
I felt honored that Mike ask me to sing one of his songs. A real icon is gone! R.I.P. Mike!
Ron Richardson
January 23, 2013
Met Mike's daughter Betty back in the 70's in Atlanta. A sweet memory of a sweet spirit.
Ceci Noel
February 22, 2012
Mike Corda's enthusiasm over his wonderful music made it flourish as a grape vine gives of its luscious fruit.
In loving Memory of Mike.
Susan Lane
April 25, 2011
Love and Hugs to Helen.
David Clarish
April 21, 2011
Mike Corda was a good friend of my Mom's... Her stage name as a singer was Susan Lane... Mike was a good man & loved his music... He will be missed!!!
God Speed Mike!!!
April 13, 2011
Unaware of his passing, Mike Corda has been enthusiastically living in my heart. I just recently recorded the song, "Bittersweet", his beloved collaboration with Johnny Mercer. Time rushes by and I'm sorry to learn he's no longer with us. I wish Mike had heard my rendition of his lovely song. In the 90's Mike saw me perform at Las Vegas Sands and shared his music with me. My memory of Mike is enduring in his songs. My heartfelt condolences to his family. So long, Mike. by Ceci Noel
May 25, 2010
When I met Mike in 1989, he asked me what I wanted. I told him I wanted a hit record. He told me that his wish was to be remembered for his song "America I Love You So". At this point we embarked on quite a journey. After doing more than 30 of his songs, all of which I really grew fond of,we recorded what we called the "America Song". It was previously recorded by others but Mike liked my version most of all. We spent alot of time together. I am Italian, but he liked to call me "Tramontski", hoping to put some Jewish into me. We are both from NYC so we had a lot to talk about. He taught me much about music and being a better person. I miss him.
Love you Mike, Allen Tramont
Felix Girard
May 22, 2010
Mike Corda was a Music Man … not a Harold Hill type of music man, but a REAL musicians and vocalists music man. He was a Music Man in the tradition of some of his favorite composers like Cole Porter, Alan Jay Lerner, Johnny Mercer, Jerome Kern, Sammy Cahn. And he played bass in over 1,000 performances for Cole Porter’s KISS ME KATE at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway.
It is said you are known by the company you keep. Paul Francis Webster wrote the lyrics to many Academy Award winning songs like LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORD THING, THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE, SECRET LOVE and many nominated songs like SOMEWHERE MY LOVE from Dr. Zhivago known as “Laura’s Theme, FRIENDLY PERSUASION, APRIL LOVE, GREEN LEAVES OF SUMMER and RAINTREE COUNTY and more. It is no wonder that he chose Mike Corda to write the music for several projects including WE ARE THE DREAMERS.
I was privileged to work with Mike many years ago on quite a few recording projects for Mickey Rooney at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles. I must confess, Mike was not easy to work with. He was a perfectionist. He would not accept a take that was not up to his standards of quality. This went for vocalists and musicians as well. My ears got a good education working with Mike, and sadly, his quality of music no longer exists in most of today’s new music.
During Mike’s era, you could understand the lyrics, they had a clear meaning, and the music underscored and complimented the whole emotional experience. In most cases, the music of today did not live up to Mike’s standards. Mike lived and worked during the Golden Era of Music when you could produce a good product, get a band that really cooks, make a record, get distribution and airplay and make a couple of bucks. Now, anyone can make music on their home computer, upload it to the internet and anyone can download it for free. It is not easy to make a living in the music business anymore, not that it was ever easy, but Mike’s era has passed. And even though Mike Corda has passed on, there is always hope that his style of music, and his music specifically, will live on forever.
Farewell Mike, and I think Cole Porter, Frank, Dean and Sammy were glad to see you upon your arrival. God bless.
Eve Quillin
May 20, 2010
Mike Corda, along with his wife Helen were jewels in my crown of friends. I loved his music, he wrote so many wonderful songs and my personsal favorite was Mickey Rooney's version of Mike's "Lover Of The Simple Things." I have a casette of the song that Mike taped for me, which I treasure. He used to call and urge me to write a musical with him. I write columns & books, but I would not have known where to begin to wrikte a musical, but Mike was the kind of man who made everyone believe that he believed in their ability to do anything. That was a big part of his charm, the way he made you feel about yourself. I know that where he is now he is writing music that will be played on a "Broadway" in his Heavenly home. I know he is loved and missed by his close family and friends, and I am a friend who will always remember him, and will hold his memory close to my heart.
Eve Quillin
Sarah OConnell
May 19, 2010
Mike Corda was man filled with fanciful passion, and dogged determination. He loved his beautiful family, a smiling audience, and above all, a jazzy tune.
There are a lot of things that I learned about creating a production in my time with him, but the most important to me was this: his example taught me to be generous with others, open to the process, and determined to give nothing less than one's best to the finished product.
Mike was committed, loving, and always sharing his smiles with me free of charge. I will forever cherish the blessing that was my time working with him.
His memory reminds us that now we, as artists, are the dreamers just as he always was.
Thanks kiddo. I owe ya one.
xo,
Sarah O'Connell
Jonathan swift
March 9, 2010
Well...what can I say about Mike Corda that Art Vargas has not already said.
Shortly after arriving in Las Vegas from New York, we met at the hotel where I was performing.
Mike complimented me on my Sinatra style voice and invited me to listen to some of his music he had written and possibly try to record one or two.
We set up a date and got together at his home,where I met his pretty wife Helen and cute little daughter Nikki.
The rest is history, we went on to record not one or two songs but many recording's through out the years. Mike was my biggest fan and mentor...he loved the way I sang the lyrics ..."old school"!
I will miss my dear friend.
My tribute to Mike comes from the lyrics to one of his song's I recorded.
"Remember him well...in the day's of his time...he was a dreamer...the maker of rhyme".
Len Lavinson
March 1, 2010
Nikki and I met, for the first time at the family reunion in Plattsburg, NY. While Nikki and I were talking I mentioned that we had planned a trip to Las Vegas. She encouraged us to contact her Dad. We did. He was playing at the Four Seasons hotel & invited us to meet him there. We talked for a while & I shared with him my adoration for Sinatra. He asked me if I knew any of his songs & when I replied that I did he asked me if I would like to accompany him while he played the piano.Forgetting that I couldn't sing I jumped at the chance to sing a Sinatra song with Mike Corda at the Four Seasons Hotel. My wife had just enough time to snap my picture before Mike realized I was ruining his entire career.
We'll be together again.
Helen Corda
February 26, 2010
Thank you for all the kind thoughts and remembrances of Mike...not only was he my husband for many years.....but a friend I could count on, no matter what.
He will be terribly missed...but his spirit and music will live on forever.
February 23, 2010
Jerry Pippin and I never went to Las Vegas without spending some time with Mike and Helen Corda. It was always fun to visit them. We would always laugh, sing and listen to Mike play the piano. There were always great stories of old Las Vegas, opening nights and lounge acts. We always had fun joining them for dinner at the newest buffets they would find…My last memories of Mike was watching him at work at the Four Seasons…and sitting in his studio at home…listening to his music and his wonderful stories…. It won’t be the same without him...
Roberta Scott (Muskogee, OK)
Robert Hawes
February 19, 2010
I remember Mike when he was an entertainer in Beaudry's Restaurant in the Bonaventure Hotel in L.A. in 1980 or 81. He was a real favorite---very professional. I know he must have loved Mickey Rooney---he talked about him all of the time.
Cay Akers
February 19, 2010
I so well remember Mike from the Sands. Everyone there knew him and he was greatly admired.
Nathan Tannenbaum
February 19, 2010
Mike was a wonderful man whose life's passion was music. He was a guest on a radio call-in show I had back in 1997 and I'll always remember the musical joy he spread.
Art Vargas
February 17, 2010
I will miss Mike, he was a mentor of song to me, his music is classic and timeless, just like the great American songbook. He coached me and taught me valuable lessons on how to 'sing the lyric and melody properly, and helped make me a better singer. His 'old school' ethics and musicial integrity were part of what made him such an important and respected man of song. He stayed true to what great music is all about and I am glad he was a friend and teacher, he will never be forgotten and his music will live on.
- Art Vargas
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