Rod Miller?

[Sulley]

Does anyone know how Rod Miller is doing? I've not seen him in a long time and I heard that he was recovering from back surgery. When is he returning?
-TIA

[InspiredByWalt]

He's had a long history of back problems and had one surgery a few years ago. Hopefully, he's fine and we'll be able to enjoy his entertaining charm and wit when we go to the park on Memorial Day. We live in Washington state, so I'd love to hear from his army of followers if they know anything about his health.

[Disneylandrocks55]

Hmmm.. My family is good friends with Rod, hadn't heard anything about his back. I'll have to ask.

[RadioDisneyTech]

Please Be OK!!

YES ! ! !
PLEASE find out how Rod is doing or when he will be back I do miss him ALot, im about to wear out my CD i bought of his.

Please post and let us know what you find out.

[InspiredByWalt]

Hmmm.. My family is good friends with Rod, hadn't heard anything about his back. I'll have to ask.

Thanks. It means a lot to us to visit with Rod when we go to DL each year. I'm sure he's just 'playing' at remembering who we really are, but it's great to talk with him and just enjoy his wonderful talent. I sure hope he's well.

[PirateJohn]

I'm sure he's just 'playing' at remembering who we really are

I asked him about that once, and he insists that he really does remember people. I only have ever caught him once pretending to remember someone he really didn't.

[Tom Chaney]

I asked him about that once, and he insists that he really does remember people. I only have ever caught him once pretending to remember someone he really didn't.

We've "hung out" with Rod many times. He remembers. I've even "caught" him smiling at us as we've walked down Main St. on our way somewhere else. When we came back to listen to his music, he already knew we were there.

[Morrigoon]

Rod had a surgery a couple months ago that caused him some problems. I believe there may have been a recent follow-up surgery to try to solve the problem. I'd anticipate it being at least another 4-5 weeks, assuming a 6-week recovery, which other than this last time, has been the norm.

[Radiobarry]

I also hope that Rod is doing well. During my time there I had a chance to spend some time w Rod, as so many CM's and guests have over his years there. In the mid-70's I worked at Plaza Pavillion, right next to good old "Coke Corner". I know that constant requests to play Marvin Hamlisch's "The Entertainer" drove him more than slightly batty at times...although he'd almost always comply...usually with an errant note here and there, just to maintain his sanity I think.
He once told me that his favorite thing was, if a guest asked him if he knew "The Sting", he'd respond - "Oh, do you mean that song from the movie "The Entertainer"?
Anyway, years after I left the park I would come back to Rod's corner, and of course he'd give me that smile - and usually address me BY NAME - even after he hadn't seen me for years.
The most off-the-wall thing I ever heard him play was a ragtime piano version of the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood". The man is so versatile. And he does it all by ear.
I. too, wish him nothing but the best and hope that he's back playing "The Sting" (lol) really soon.
Barry Turnbull
CM 1974-1982

[Sulley]

Rod had a surgery a couple months ago that caused him some problems. I believe there may have been a recent follow-up surgery to try to solve the problem. I'd anticipate it being at least another 4-5 weeks, assuming a 6-week recovery, which other than this last time, has been the norm.

Thanks for the update. We really miss him.

[InspiredByWalt]

Rod had a surgery a couple months ago that caused him some problems. I believe there may have been a recent follow-up surgery to try to solve the problem. I'd anticipate it being at least another 4-5 weeks, assuming a 6-week recovery, which other than this last time, has been the norm.

Thanks for letting us all know. Rod is a fabulous part of Disneyland that shouldn't be missed by anyone. What's really great is that his admirers range in age from the very young to 'the young at heart'. What a great testament to his presence and talent.

I figured that because my wife is <bragging husband>gorgeous</bragging husband> that he remembered us. Seriously, I'm grateful to know that he really does remember folks, and I really am greatful to hear any more news about his recovery.

[Bruce Bergman]

The memory is real. I wish I could get faces and pop up the names 5 minutes later, let alone 5 years - I have to warn new bosses about that one, or they get really annoyed when I can't get their name memorized for a day or two.

Rod's surgery to relieve a pinched nerve wen't fine, but as I understand it they've had to go back in for a few minor follow up procedures. I won't go further into it than that, because even if I knew the answers it simply wouldn't be polite to discuss them in a public forum - I'm pushing the boundaries by saying this much. If you want more details, wait till he gets back and ask him - the topic is not off limits.

A few close friends (I''m not sure how 'close' I rate, but I was in on it) managed to pull off a surprise birthday party for him last week :bow: and Rod's looking good. If all goes well, he plans to be back sometime in mid July - I'm hoping before the 17th, but keep your fingers crossed...

--<< Bruce >>--

[InspiredByWalt]

The memory is real. I wish I could get faces and pop up the names 5 minutes later, let alone 5 years - I have to warn new bosses about that one, or they get really annoyed when I can't get their name memorized for a day or two.

Rod's surgery to relieve a pinched nerve wen't fine, but as I understand it they've had to go back in for a few minor follow up procedures. I won't go further into it than that, because even if I knew the answers it simply wouldn't be polite to discuss them in a public forum - I'm pushing the boundaries by saying this much.

A few close friends (I''m not sure how 'close' I rate, but I was in on it) managed to pull off a surprise birthday party for him last week :bow: and Rod's looking good. If all goes well, he plans to be back sometime in mid July - I'm hoping before the 17th, but keep your fingers crossed...

--<< Bruce >>--

And I'm not interested in knowing anything more than Rod is on the mend after the procedures. We won't see him as our yearly trip to DL is next weekend, but I'm glad to hear he'll be back where we love to see and hear him.

Thanks Bruce!

[Morrigoon]

Bruce: I don't think you pushed the issue there, that was a perfect explanation (better than I could do, given that I haven't run into S. in a while)

[Sulley]

Bruce: I don't think you pushed the issue there, that was a perfect explanation (better than I could do, given that I haven't run into S. in a while)

Thank you and Bruce both for the info. I was worried that maybe all was not well with his health or that he decided to retire (Gasp!) because they moved the piano or something. I've been so out of the loop because I lost (rhymes with cherry )'s email address. So glad to hear that he's on the mend. I can't wait to see him again - how fun!

[dgmoran]

I asked him about that once, and he insists that he really does remember people. I only have ever caught him once pretending to remember someone he really didn't.

In January, 2003, my girlfriend at the time and I got our first APs. As many of you will agree, my way of looking at Disneyland totally changed at that moment. Within a couple of visits rather than rushing around to get on as many rides as possible we started to slow down and to really enjoy the atmosphere in the park. Possibly the biggest part of that for us was that we started to spend time on each visit listening to Rod and we quickly grew to love his music and personality. I still remember that the second time we stopped to see him he looked at me with a real expression of recognition, which really impressed me. Although I never really got a chance to talk to him, he always had a friendly smile for me. I'm really looking forward to his return.

[melmel]

Who is Rod Miller?

[InspiredByWalt]

Who is Rod Miller?

Rod is the ragtime piano player that was for a long long time located on 'Coke Corner' (now Refreshment Corner?) over by the hub on Main Street. I believe they just recently moved the piano over to the Plaza Inn (help me out here folks).
Anyway, Rod has been a park mainstay for around 30 years (I think he was hired in the 1970s??). He plays ragtime arrangements of tunes you may or may not have heard of, but the tunes are usually from early in the 1900s. "Alexander's Rag Time Band" "The Entertainer" and a few other time-honored favorites. You may not be a big fan of ragtime piano, but Rod is such a nice guy (and good musician), that he has developed a faithful following. Kids love the sound of the music, and adults like hanging out with Rod, just because he's friendly and funny. There was a Web site where you could buy his CDs, and he has mentored another young pianist (Alan Thompson - also a fine musician), who plays in the park as well.

He usually plays in the evenings around suppertime and if you get the chance, he'll take his break during the fireworks and talk you through the whole thing. Very cool!

[Morrigoon]

They moved it to the upper deck of the Plaza Pavilion - the yellow and white building now fronted by a mass of pin carts.

[MickeyJCA]

I've been in awe of Rod ever since the first time I saw him play the piano with gloves on! Amazing.

I got his original LP off eBay a few years ago and I made a point of taking it to The Park on my next trip so he could sign it. I was a little (OK, a LOT) embarrassed to ask him to sign the LP, but he did it graciously. He sort of had this look on his face, like, "Where the hell did you get that old thing?!?!?", but it's something I'll treasure for a long time.