Run into Rodney all the time picking up groceries at the market, seen him for years; we shop at the same weird hours. One evening was with my 5 year old, we were talking, he commented that he used to play piano at Disneyland... WoW
I used to work graveyard custodial at Disneyland, and I remember this guy well! He used to play for me at night, right before my shift started. He had a heart of gold.
This brings back memories My mom used to play this for us when we were kids, We all loved to stand around the piano and watch her fingers fly across the keys. She used to play boogie woogie in a dance band, She even filled in for Duke Ellington's sick piano player one night in Chicago back in the 30's. Then she got religion and was the piano player at the church we all went to in Wichita.
Of the many times I went to Disneyland while growing up, the most memorable was meeting this man, Rod Miller, and hearing him play the piano. Wherever you are Rod, thank you, thank you, thank you.
this guy is awesome. great personality to go with his talent. he's my neighbor and i see him taking walks around the block sometimes and i've had a few conversations with him. that's why i looked him up in the first place. needless to say i was blown away!
every single time... "faster!" "faster?" i didn't think it was possible for him to go any faster, but he does it anyways... amazing. disneyland and its patrons miss you, ron =(
There are many others like him playing today. Sadly, most people seem to think Disneyland is the only place you can hear this stuff. There could be a huge ragtime festival going on in their back yard and they'd never know. The ragtime community has got to work on promotion...!
You just can't beat those guys at Disneyworld! Notice there were NO mistakes, or, IF there were, he hid them so well that it didn't even matter!! Man, I hope I'm that good someday...
When I went to Disneyland circa 1986, I saw/heard an outstanding piano player who played Ragtime. That was, of course, long ago, but I suppose it Is Mr. Miller who was there!
LOL when he yelled help was so funny... he is just so fun and amazing :D! ..... i miss him ),: !!! i watched him when i was little... he inspired me the first time i saw him =D.... tho i dont play the songs he played..... even if i tried it wont sound the same ^_^
yes, this is the only one. There was another recording even older thanthis, but i cant find that vid anymore...i saw it here in youtube but now i cant find it. sorry for my english
Like most jazz, this is improvisation pure and simple -- it's not about playing it "as written". If you can't distinguish between the two, you need to loosen up. Rod is one of the greatest stride piano players alive.
ohh man that piano i still there my dad used to play with this guy when i was a kid at the park we used to go allot and my dad became friends with this man haha woo crazy the store he's playing in front sucks now though i was there december 1st but they have his piano there cover in a black tarp
By the time he reaches his full speed, he is leaving a lot of notes out cause there is no time to play every note at that speed. I`m glad Walt Disney never found out about his crystal methamphetamine addiction cause this stuff is great!
@@drivinsouth651 Never found out? Rod and Walt did meth TOGETHER for years! It was actually Rod who (while doing some ‘shrooms) conceived the idea of calling one of the Disney parks for “Magic Kingdom”. Truth to be told though, he initially wanted to call it “Mushroom Kingdom”, but Walt felt that it was a little too much, and so Rod later sold that name to Nintendo. I know it’s a true story, because the other day I inhaled a mixed vapor fume of diesel, bath salts and Ammonium chloride, when all of a sudden I saw Steve Jobs slowly approach me while riding on an iCloud. He then proceeded to tell me this story, after I paid for a subscription to upgrade his iCloud storage. Turns out Heaven is running on the latest MacOS, and that everyone is required to have iCloud for storing their memories and shit, even though there’s no money there for people to pay for it. But yeah, Rod Miller was a darn fine Ragtime pianist!
Ok... that is pretty cool. I have the original sheet music as well. There is also a great version by George Green and his All Star Trio (Sax, Piano, and Xylophone)on an old 78 I own.
I know exactly what you mean. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot (possibly all) of the disney pianists could play at a concert level. (Cause this guy can!)
Adding to my previous comment (which seems to have gotten lost in the thread), years after he left, I happened to catch another man "playing"piano on the porch of the Plaza Pavilion. He seemed out of place and didn't have the flair and pizzaz as Rod always did. He sounded as if he was working at playing instead of just letting the music flow out of him. It was awkward listening to him. Rod didn't just play the tunes, it was as if he "was" the tunes. They were a part of him. This is, I suppose, the next best thing to actually standing next to him and being part of the overall experience. I will always miss him.
Holy crap. This guy is a freak. Ive never heard anyone play that fast.
Run into Rodney all the time picking up groceries at the market, seen him for years; we shop at the same weird hours. One evening was with my 5 year old, we were talking, he commented that he used to play piano at Disneyland... WoW
VERY GOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!
I used to work graveyard custodial at Disneyland, and I remember this guy well! He used to play for me at night, right before my shift started. He had a heart of gold.
look at the way his fingers, arm and especially wrists move so freely... His smile and enthusiasm just tops it all off, awesome stuff Rod!!
This pianist is so great. Outstanding speed and agility.
This brings back memories My mom used to play this for us when we were kids, We all loved to stand around the piano and watch her fingers fly across the keys. She used to play boogie woogie in a dance band, She even filled in for Duke Ellington's sick piano player one night in Chicago back in the 30's. Then she got religion and was the piano player at the church we all went to in Wichita.
Of the many times I went to Disneyland while growing up, the most memorable was meeting this man, Rod Miller, and hearing him play the piano.
Wherever you are Rod, thank you, thank you, thank you.
whenever i feel down in music issues, i watch rod miller's videos in youtube. this guy always cheers me up!
this guy is awesome. great personality to go with his talent. he's my neighbor and i see him taking walks around the block sometimes and i've had a few conversations with him. that's why i looked him up in the first place. needless to say i was blown away!
I just wanna said..!! Some day I will get to Disney again along with mi family, just to see Mr Miller play again, God bless him.
Damn I have serious respect to people who can play like that.
I've been trying to find his cd's but can't. I would love to buy them both. He is truly a one of a kind.
He is GOOD and CLEAN.
he slaughtered it!
It doesn't get any better than this. I can listen to him play all day.
We met rod back In the eighties, saw him jam so many times, he just punishes those keys😁
We used always stop by at the coke corner to watch Rodney play he's unreal , awesome man .
Rod Miller is my absolute idol and he also always be economical! I wish you all the best Rod! 5*
Excelent job, I got my parents to watch this with me and they started dancing!!
Your parents must be in great shape to be able to dance to this, lol!
Wow... what a pianist! And what a personality. I love watching the kid's reaction in the background. Rod Miller is awesome!
He is just as nice as he is talented! His ease of play is mind boggling!! GO ROD!!!
I watched Rod play at Disneyland several times when I was a kid. Great memories for me.
holy....
this guy is so amazing
so sad he retired :(
i would sit for hours just listening
to him at disneyland
You can't watch Rod play without a smile on your face like when you were a child!
every single time... "faster!"
"faster?"
i didn't think it was possible for him to go any faster, but he does it anyways... amazing.
disneyland and its patrons miss you, ron =(
just Amazing. I am Speechless. Pure talent right there = )
I really like the ending!!
I just love listening to him because the songs he playes are always so fun!!!
he's just the happiest guy when he sees the kids clapping and enjoying his playing
I keep watching this over and over again lol
Best living ragtime player ever.
Jo anne Castle; dahlink!
@@drivinsouth651I'll look her up!
he makes me so happy!
HE IS CRAZY GOOD AT PIANO
I love you Rod
Rod is simply beyond comprehension. Absolutely amazing!!
Man, when ever I even attempt to play like that my arms hurt like crap... and he used to do that all day... everyday?!?!?!? I admire that dude
There are many others like him playing today. Sadly, most people seem to think Disneyland is the only place you can hear this stuff. There could be a huge ragtime festival going on in their back yard and they'd never know. The ragtime community has got to work on promotion...!
I love how the crowd gathers around him...he is simply incredible!
I really regret not seeing him when i went to disneyland :(
WOW!! I really think that is how Scott Joplin himself must have played that piece. Thank you Rod Miller wherever you are!
You just can't beat those guys at Disneyworld! Notice there were NO mistakes, or, IF there were, he hid them so well that it didn't even matter!! Man, I hope I'm that good someday...
When I went to Disneyland circa 1986, I saw/heard an outstanding piano player who played Ragtime. That was, of course, long ago, but I suppose it Is Mr. Miller who was there!
they are all in the presence of greatness.
Incredible.
5/5
he came to my church yesterday and we had a great time! he's an awesome guy! plus he played for us to it was crazy~
Incredible!!!!
how can you not get happy watching this vid!
Appreciate the information. Love it!!
i love this guy lol he was such a part of the Disneyland magic
Translation: He is a genius on the piano and spectacular! Really incredible! Very Good
I feel jolly all of a sudden!
I love that CD.
ES un genio del piano y del espectaculo!! Realmente increible! Muy bueno
LOL when he yelled help was so funny... he is just so fun and amazing :D! ..... i miss him ),: !!! i watched him when i was little... he inspired me the first time i saw him =D.... tho i dont play the songs he played..... even if i tried it wont sound the same ^_^
I think he did these chords just for exhibition and it matches perfectly, he is a genius probably the best version of 12th Street Rag at you tube.
omg. when Phoenix Girls Chorus came to disneyland this year....we sang this song. 12th street rag and we danced =] it was funn.
Great job, man!!!
I
your church house is lucky for the visit! I saw this guy some 40 years ago
As many times as I have been to Disneyland never got to hear him preform
hes not even looking half the time this man is awesome!!
yes, this is the only one. There was another recording even older thanthis, but i cant find that vid anymore...i saw it here in youtube but now i cant find it. sorry for my english
he is awesome.
man i love this..
ROD MILLER IS DISNEYLAND LEGEND!
hahaha i love his comments through out the time he is playing. My favorite one is when he yells "HELP" at 2:41 ... haha its so funny :-D
how's he doing it without looking thats impossible to do,this guys amazing 5/5
Like most jazz, this is improvisation pure and simple -- it's not about playing it "as written". If you can't distinguish between the two, you need to loosen up.
Rod is one of the greatest stride piano players alive.
State Buono, Rod!
Go Mr. Miller!!!
Bravo Maestro !!
Terrific!
extraordinario!!!!!
i love it
ohh man that piano i still there my dad used to play with this guy when i was a kid at the park we used to go allot and my dad became friends with this man haha woo crazy the store he's playing in front sucks now though i was there december 1st but they have his piano there cover in a black tarp
wow, thats super awsome, I wish I could do that
Your mind......BLOWN!
'o' this is amazing.
him and Bach would be cool to watch, lol.
I think it's nearly impossible to *cleanly* play this song faster.
By the time he reaches his full speed, he is leaving a lot of notes out cause there is no time to play every note at that speed. I`m glad Walt Disney never found out about his crystal methamphetamine addiction cause this stuff is great!
@@drivinsouth651 Never found out? Rod and Walt did meth TOGETHER for years! It was actually Rod who (while doing some ‘shrooms) conceived the idea of calling one of the Disney parks for “Magic Kingdom”. Truth to be told though, he initially wanted to call it “Mushroom Kingdom”, but Walt felt that it was a little too much, and so Rod later sold that name to Nintendo. I know it’s a true story, because the other day I inhaled a mixed vapor fume of diesel, bath salts and Ammonium chloride, when all of a sudden I saw Steve Jobs slowly approach me while riding on an iCloud. He then proceeded to tell me this story, after I paid for a subscription to upgrade his iCloud storage. Turns out Heaven is running on the latest MacOS, and that everyone is required to have iCloud for storing their memories and shit, even though there’s no money there for people to pay for it.
But yeah, Rod Miller was a darn fine Ragtime pianist!
@@Ragtime95 in
Ok... that is pretty cool. I have the original sheet music as well. There is also a great version by George Green and his All Star Trio (Sax, Piano, and Xylophone)on an old 78 I own.
this is so old from a year after youtube came to the world geez
I know exactly what you mean. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot (possibly all) of the disney pianists could play at a concert level. (Cause this guy can!)
Keep in mind that Rod is self-taught. He learned by slowing down and following old piano rolls and only sight-reads music "only ok" by his own words.
i love the end lol, dada dada dada ding!
Adding to my previous comment (which seems to have gotten lost in the thread), years after he left, I happened to catch another man "playing"piano on the porch of the Plaza Pavilion. He seemed out of place and didn't have the flair and pizzaz as Rod always did. He sounded as if he was working at playing instead of just letting the music flow out of him. It was awkward listening to him. Rod didn't just play the tunes, it was as if he "was" the tunes. They were a part of him. This is, I suppose, the next best thing to actually standing next to him and being part of the overall experience. I will always miss him.
Could someone make a midi version of his rendition? I wanna play it so bad!
go through the comments to the last page, someone was saying they had it.
awesome
dam right
he's a god
XD
great!
how can you even walk past that?!
Do you have anymore version of this song by Rod?
Is that smoke coming off those keys?
Scott Joplin died around the time this was written. The composer was Euday Bowman. Just FYI.
Bravissimo !!!
Unreal.
I like in the background the adult and the kid in front of him drinking at the same time
Dynamite! check out Liberace on RUclips. Both as a young guy in the 40's and his 50's tv show.
My friends like it fast." TMI Liberace!
Rod Miller RULEZ !!!!!!!!! :D :D :D