Though I’ve branched out into other styles since, I’ll never forget the electric effect Rod and his ragtime had on me. It’s fun to think about the hundreds (thousands?) of other young people Rod inspired to play, just by showing them what was possible.

It’s also important to mention that Rod was, and no doubt still is, a complete NUT—witty, wacky, flirtatious, baffling, the whole bit. He probably could’ve entertained people by just sitting there at the piano, not playing a note, and making some of his hilarious faces. He’s unique.

Thanks, Rod.

Here’s a thought: I believe that him playing was a part of the magic of Disney.

Thanks

Ragtime was his Forte
By ear he learned to play
An just inside a Kingdom
One could watch his fingers flay
Rod was at his Upright
Stroking keys, count Eighty-Eight
At his spot outside Coke-Corner
Playing old tunes until quite late
His fingers touched the Ivory’s
His hands in constant blur
His Smile always Beaming
His Demeanor always Sure
Ragtime’s still his Forte
Born an Era long ago
When time it was uncertain
And roads uphill did go
Rod’s kept up his playing
For nearly Forty years
Thirty-six I’m thinkin’
With Applause from all his peers
A crisp white shirt with stripin’
A Garter on each sleeve
A Captivating Talent
To see you would believe
In the year before a Seventy
He began at Disneyland
And with Magical Evolution
His playing became Grand
Rod’s filled our Souls with Memories
And with Sounds that still return
To Linger Deep within our minds
And causing us to Yearn
Millions have heard his Music
On perhaps one evening or a day
Just outside Coke-Corner
On Main Street U.S.A.
He was a Master of his Music
In his Signature Up-Tempo Style
And when you Heard him Playing
You just had to stay awhile
Rod gave all that was within him
Each day and into night
With a speed Beyond Believing
And when he slowed down all was right
He has a Unique and Life-Long Talent
In an Era oh so Grand
And we, his Fans, will Miss him
At His Spot in Disneyland
…11172006…
Dedicated to Mr. Rod Miller
Ragtime Piano Player of Disneyland
1969 thru 2006
By
Rolfe Dennis Barbata
The Wizard of Words

Why do we consider that music to be “inferior” to classical pieces?
It’s not.

Michael Darden and Family
West Hills, California
(San Fernando Valley)

I hope it settles down to 2 or 3
Stan

After relocating north to Pixar, I would often fly down to Anaheim for the sole purpose of seeing Rod. I was always greeted with a smile and an “Everyone, this is Mark. He’s an animator at Pixar and plays like me”. How did he remember everyone’s name??

Rod inspired me to play ragtime as he has many others. I learned several of his songs by ear (they took a month each) and had a dream of one day quitting animation and devoting my life to ragtime. Which of us havn’t spent hours out there at that beat-up piano, watching Rod run his fingers up and down the ivories whilst directing a tourist to the bathroom! The man was the greatest entertainer I’ve ever seen.

I’ve kept making the trips to find Rod, wondering if he was ill or worse. Retirement is a relief on one hand but a devastation on the other. I think we all feel a sense of loss. Deep loss. I’m so grateful to that man.

I’m quite a bit more teary now than I’ve been in years. What a man to have known.

When does he leave Disneyland for good? Has it already happened?

I only met him once, two years ago. My choir was on a trip to California, and of course we had a day at Disneyland. I don’t recall what he was playing when my sister and I wandered in. All I remember is that he was a very kind, very friendly man who could carry on a conversation and play at the same time. I was learning piano at the time, so seeing such a talented man was a bit stunning.

Thank you so very much for your music, Mister Miller. We will never forget you. And we won’t let the music ever die.