It’s hard to remember a time before a virtual nobody could get famous simply by posting videos of themselves on Youtube. Now, you may not even need to go to auditions or perform in small venues trying to get your big break — that’s what viral videos are for. But, it wasn’t that long ago that people had to take a more “traditional” route to get famous.
Before Youtube, David Tolley became the subject of the 1980’s version of a “viral video.” No one could have predicted what happened when he attended a taping of the “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. It was time for Jimmy to introduce the night’s musical act, but there was a small issue with the scheduled talent.
Johnny said, “Horatio Gutierrez [a classical pianist] couldn’t come tonight because he accidentally shut his hand in a car door and didn’t want to chance playing the Tonight Show. Can anybody here play the piano?”
It just so happened that David Tolley was in the audience that night. He volunteered to perform and play the song “Memory” from the musical “Cats.” He gave a brilliant performance and one that helped to launch his career as a musician and composer.
It might have been “fate” that intervened that evening, but David had been unknowingly preparing for that moment since his childhood. He began playing the piano at age five and eventually earned multiple degrees in music and competition. After his “Tonight Show” appearance, he began a successful entertainment music career and though his journey has had ups and downs, music has always been his life.
In the video below, watch the fateful “Tonight Show” performance that people are still talking about today!
