MacClain's career as a
theatre organist for
silent movies started at the Jefferson Theatre, when the regular organist there could not appear on account of inclement weather.[1] In 1919 he began playing at the Fifty-Sixth Street Theater.[5] He became the premiere theatre organist[5] in the Philadelphia area for decades, earning the nickname “Melody Mac”.[6][7][8]
MacClain was also popular on radio, where he had his own show.[9] In 1935 he debuted an instrument called the “Photona” on the
CBS Radio network. The instrument was of two
manuals, each manual including six
octaves, and had foot controls for volume and tremolo.[10]
By 1950 he was recording for Musicart Records.[11] The late 1950s and early 1960s were the peak of MacClain’s exposure, as he signed a recording contract with Epic Records,[12] where he recorded the
Wurlitzer organ in the Tower Theatre located in
Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania.[3][13] During this time, he made numerous concert appearances,[14] often in conjunction with the American Association of Theater Organ Enthusiasts. Highlights included being named convention organist for the Forty-Seventh Annual Rotary Convention in 1956,[15] and as guest soloist with the
Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by
Eugene Ormandy playing “
The Stars and Stripes Forever.” [16] During this time he lived in
Ocean City, New Jersey, with his wife, Dorothy.[17] In 1963, McClain traveled to Baltimore, Buffalo, Rochester and Philadelphia to record organs in four theatres scheduled for demolition and to California to record at the
Lorin Whitney Studios in Glendale. These sessions were released on the Ralbar Records label. By 1966 health issues forced him to cancel appearances.[18] He died in 1967.
Playing style and legacy
His playing was described as “forthright” and “sensible”,[3] yet he was also noted for his
improvisational skills.[15] He was said to be able to play any song he had heard from memory, making up the chords and accompaniment as he went along. On his radio show, he offered a prize to any listener who could stump him with a song, but was rarely bested.[19] He was reviewed by
Billboard as “outstanding.” [13]
MacClain was sought after as a teacher of his instrument. Students included
Dennis James,[1] who at the age of 16 was sent by MacClain to replace him in a Detroit concert when the organist suffered a
heart attack,[20] Dick Smith, Shirley Hannum Keither, and
Barbara Fesmire.[21]
^Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (10 November 1956).
Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 138–.
ISSN0006-2510. Retrieved 23 February 2011. {{
cite book}}: |author= has generic name (
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