Mark Russell, political satirist with a star-spangled piano, dies at 90

[Zorro]

Source: Washington Post

Mark Russell, Washington’s social-political satirist and stand-up comic who spoofed, teased and laughed at celebrities, politicians, politics and popular culture for more than 50 years from behind his star-spangled piano, died March 30 at his home in D.C. He was 90.

The cause was complications from prostate cancer, said his wife, Alison Russell.

From the waning years of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration through the presidencies of 10 succeeding chief executives, Mr. Russell poked fun at the foibles and flaws of the well-known, the pompous and the powerful in monologues replete with pithy one-liners and musical ditties. He called himself “a political cartoonist for the blind.”

Long an institution on Washington’s stages and in hotel bars, Mr. Russell gained a national following on public television, where for 30 years he made regular broadcasts. In the 1980s and 1990s, he took his show on the road, appearing live in public and corporate venues in cities and towns across the United States.

In addition, he wrote syndicated observations for newspaper op-ed pages, where he delivered such quips as “a broken campaign promise to change the way Washington works is exactly the way Washington works.”

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/03/30/mark-russell-satirist-pianist-dead/

[niyad]

1. Requiescat in pace, good soul.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Wow

Sorry to see this. I know that nowadays, he would have had his on "podcast" and wouldn't have to do that kind of traveling.

There are a pile of clips on youtube with him but saw a 1996 SNL "election" one -

As a note - he was able to establish his song parodies as "fair use" at the SCOTUS so the likes of Randy Rainbow can continue to do them today.

R.I.P.

[DFW]

5. To some degree, he was our role model as well.

The Freedom Toast says Farewell and R.I.P to our pioneer.

[sl8]

23. You know this one is Mark McKinney, though, right?

I had to look it up. Guess I wasn't watching SNL in 1996.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. I saw mention of that

(as a parody skit)

[sl8]

25. OK, kindly disregard my last. :) nt

[BumRushDaShow]

26. Most of the clips of him in the past

were full shows or long portions of his shows and wanted a quickie something.

[sl8]

27. Gotcha.

I was wondering, a bit, why you chose the parody over the others.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[BumRushDaShow]

28. SNL is political parody central

like the Smothers Brothers (that I miss )

[royable]

29. I think that is not Mark Russell but someone spoofing him.

Here's a half-hour June 19, 1986 PBS performance by Mark Russell, probably one I saw broadcast on air back in the day. I always enjoyed his shows.

Now that I see this again, I realize that it may be his satire that was instrumental in expanding my thinking in my teen years beyond the RW claptrap that my family had indoctrinated into me as a child.

You will be missed, Mark!

[BumRushDaShow]

30. Yup.

[Red Mountain]

32. Same here

satire works wonders for those capable of recognizing and enjoying it.

[Backseat Driver]

3. Dang, I thought he had died a long time ago

I caught some of his shows on PBS; loved his little piano ditties; funny guy.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. He was funny, saw him live once, though his material had an expiration date for understanding it

I put all his PBS on VHS from the early 1980s. It was a must watch in our house.

[Warpy]

6. Long life, lived well, fought the good fight

and those are great things for anyone to have said about him or her.

I was sad when he retired. Old age sucks but I hope he was able to enjoy his.

Here's something he did sort of on the fly when he was 84:

[Raine]

7. Sad news 🕯️ ... I always enjoyed him

R-I-P Mark Russell

[dickthegrouch]

8. I wondered why he hadn't had more to say about TFG

I had no idea he was that experienced.

I Miss his performances a lot.

RIP

[melm00se]

9. He was a well known alumni

of my high school and would stop in there whenever he was in town for an impromptu show.

[Tommymac]

10. Godspeed Mark

It's like a beloved Uncle just left the stage.

Live long and prosper Mr. Russell.

... just how the 9 year old '60's me knew ya.

Changed my life, you did.

[DinahMoeHum]

11. Always looked forward to his evening shows on PBS, back in the day.

This clip is from a birthday party at the home of journalist Myra MacPherson

Rest In Peace, Mark Russell, and thanx for the laughs.

[sinkingfeeling]

12. I enjoyed him so much. R.I.P.

[pazzyanne]

13. This

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mark+russell&docid=603497279399275415&mid=6D8688C8E120446BB9736D8688C8E120446BB973&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

[Aristus]

14. I LOVED Mark Russell!

I loved his style so much, during the Bill Clinton impeachment shambles, and the revelation that every major Republican gunning for Bill Clinton was having his own affair, I wrote a Mark Russell-style parody of it.

To the tune of 'But Mr. Adams', from "1776".

"Robert Livingston, damn you Robert Livingston,
You're adulterous and a liar that cannot be denied,
And your behavior has pissed off Trent Lott and Henry Hyde,
Henryyyy Hyyyyyyyde,
Ooooh, Robert Livingston, you are driving the Republicans to homicide!"

[TeamProg]

15. He was great! nt

[electric_blue68]

16. I have a vague memory of him. I remember more from the Smother's Bros; David Frye.

[moonscape]

17. Oh, great memories. RIP

[bahboo]

18. never missed one of his specials....

[2naSalit]

19. A great satarist!

I was just thinking of him last night as I fell to sleep.

[FakeNoose]

20. RIP Mark Russell a very talented performer and political satirist

I believe he had a regular show, or regular guest appearances, on the PBS channel.

[Leith]

21. I loved watching Mark Russell

I got excited when I saw when his show was on PBS. He was a worthy successor to Tom Lehrer (very high praise coming from me).

Thank you for getting me through the 80s and 90s. Rest in Peace, sir.

[soldierant]

34. Lehrer was more musical I think,

whareas Russell was more political, something I value more the longer I live, but that's not to undercut Lehrer, who I also love. Have you downloaded his legacy yet? (at https://tomlehrersongs.com)

[Leith]

35. I sure did

Somebody ( was it you? ) posted that it was available a few weeks ago. and I grabbed it all. I already had about 98% of it already, but now it's all in one place.

[soldierant]

37. No, I learnd about it here

I think in November and finished my downloa in February, I also had about 98% of it ... on vinyl. So now it's not only in one place, but actually accessible.

[blogslug]

22. Oh no

He was so great

[Hekate]

31. He was lovely -- so much witty commentary. RIP Mr Russell, and thanks.

[oasis]

33. Loved his unique, simplistic style.

May he rest in peace.

[dchill]

36. One of the best.