Doc Severinsen sounds off about Erich Kunzel

Doc Severinsen, 78, known for his glitzy outfits as trumpeter and former bandleader on "The Tonight Show," answered questions by phone this week about Erich Kunzel, 70, on the occasion of the Pops meister's 40th anniversary with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. (Watch for our tribute in this Sunday's Enquirer.)

For your reading pleasure, here's the uncut transcript:

Q: What has Erich done in this country for the world of pops orchestral music? Big question.

A: Yeah, that is. Well, he took his position as assistant or associate (conductor) in Cincinnati when he was a young guy starting out, and he did all the things required of that. But at the same time, he obviously had an enthusiasm for the pops, and a vision that grew.

At that time, Arthur Fiedler was the most well-known pops conductor and the most respected and all of that. But as time went on, I'd say Erich assumed that position.
At this point, and has been for some time, he's been the man. He's been the finest pops conductor there is.

And, he's had a lot to do with the shaping of programming for other orchestras, merely by the fact that what he does with his orchestra in Cincinnati -- it's very successful and people see it and they want to do it the way he does. And they're well advised to do it that way!

Believe me, I steal plenty from him!

Erich has also been very good at identifying different people to come and play and perform with his pops orchestra. I mean, Cab Calloway is a wonderful example. Cab had been a huge Big Band leader, very popular. I don't know if Broadway came first or Erich came first. But Erich saw something, and presented him in a way that worked for him and it worked for Erich.

It's a long list, and I'm glad I'm part of that list. I was just starting out as the bandleader on "The Tonight Show." I think even before I was a bandleader on the Tonight Show, as a matter of fact. Erich was one of the very first people that invited me to come and play with his orchestra as a soloist.

He really helped me shape my entire career, by the choice of material and the right attitude. I tell you, I learned a lot of things from Erich.

Q: Did he advise you when you took the Phoenix Pops?

A; Yeah, I mean, I talked to Erich many times when I had something coming up, where I felt that I needed input and advice. Erich has always been very forthcoming. He sent me programs from the orchestra there, from how it was programmed when Erich started out, right up to the present day.

Q: He tells me he enjoys the old Arthur Fiedler-type programs more than the Hollywood-themed shows that are tied to recordings.

A: Well, you know, unlike many people who might have been in his same position, Erich was open to change. In fact, I think he always had his eye out for something new that he could bring in. He never pushed it away, but he embraced it. It became a part of how you program pops orchestras.

Q: He says you've done five or six albums together. Do you know the exact number?

A: Let's say five that I would talk about and one that I would not talk about. And Erich knows exactly what I’m talking about!

Q: Which one is your favorite?

A: I think "Trumpet Spectacular." And that one album had a huge amount to do with what I play with orchestras. It's all semi-classical or absolute classical.

Q: You know what I miss? Turning on "The Tonight Show" and seeing an artist, like you used to do, give a nice solo, or have a whole number played by the band.

A: Or have Yo-Yo Ma on as a guest, or Beverly Sills. And we had a lot of great violinists on, and Jimmy Galway. We used to have great jazz artists -- everything from Dixieland players to Miles Davis.

Q: What happened?

A: I have no idea. But, yeah, it's too bad.

Q: The first time I went with Erich and the Pops to Carnegie Hall to review a concert, you were there, and I interviewed you onstage at a rehearsal. What's it like to perform with him?

A: It's great, because Erich doesn't waste time. He cuts right to the bone. He knows the music. He knows what it is you're bringing in. In fact, a lot of the things I did with Erich were things that were his inspiration. He would say, how about this or that? I'd turn my thoughts to that and we'd get something that would be a kind of a co-creation.

I always looked at Erich as my mentor. Course, I'm older than he is (chuckles).

And you know, another thing about Erich. He's about the only pops conductor that's around who can go in and do a completely total classical program, and do it really, really well. I think John Mauceri might also be able to do that, but Erich to my mind is the most well-rounded.

He's Mr. Pops in the United States, that's all there is to that.

Q: Which orchestras are you conducting pops concerts for these days?

A: The Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee and Phoenix, where I've been for 22 years. You know, I'm just playing wherever they'll have me.

Just make sure you get in that article that Erich is much more than a mentor. I mean, he's a dear friend and I love 'im. There's no way to measure what he has meant to orchestras in this country.