Inside Count Basie’s 75th Birthday Celebration at Rainbow Room
In 1979, my friend, photographer Chuck Fishman, invited me to a party at the Rainbow Room in New York City to celebrate Count Basie’s 75th birthday.
Photograph courtesy of Chuck Fishman © 1979 Chuck Fishman
We were in the bowels of 30 Rock. Basie’s entourage was already loaded inside a giant freight elevator. Basie drove in last, on his red electric scooter. I stood there watching the packed group in front of me as the elevator doors were about to close, when Chuck motioned for me to get in, too.
The elevator left us off in the 65th floor’s service area. As everyone walked into the main room, Chuck walked backwards in front of Basie to get a shot. I leaned in for a photobomb.
The rest of the party is a blur, but one moment remains crystal clear. I found myself standing at the end of a small, black lacquer upright piano, watching Stevie Wonder play.
