The world mourns the death of Aretha Franklin. I remember posting this article about RJ Bailey Middle School teacher Bobby Lance, a very popular choral director. He got his start writing Aretha Franklin's hit song "House that Jack Built." As we reflect on the contributions Aretha made to culture, the arts and as voice of generations, it's nice to know that one of Greenburgh's most popular teachers played a role in Aretha's career.
PAUL FEINER
RJ BAILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER WROTE ARETHA FRANKLINS HIT SONG "HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT"
Release Date: September 03, 2015
The school season has started. SURPRISE! my guess is that most Greenburgh residents are not aware of the fact that a world class musician teaches at RJ Bailey Middle School (Greenburgh Central School district) on Hillside Ave. Bobby Lance, choral director of the Richard Bailey Middle School for more than 14 years, had a brief but remarkable history with two of America’s biggest record albums. Bobby Lance, a resident of Tarrytown, recently was advised that his records “FIRST PEACE AND ROLLIN MAN” which debuted in 1971 and 1972 are being re-released.
Bobby Lance wrote the hit song “THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT” which later became Aretha Franklin’s 1968 hit.
I have known Bobby for many years. He’s modest, extremely talented and goes the extra distance to inspire students to love music. The Greenburgh School district is very lucky to have a world class musician on their staff and even luckier to have on their faculty a teacher who can help guide up and coming musicians to greatness! Tess Weitzner wrote an article in the September issue of THE HUDSON INDEPENDENT. Link below. The photo of Bobby Lance and his son Mitch are in Freelance studio. My WVOX radio interview with Lance (which is referenced in the article) should hopefully be added to the Hudson Independent website in the next week or so, according to Tess Weitzner.
The Greenburgh School district is (in my opinion) one of the most under-rated school districts around. Many of their teachers, like Bobby Lance are exceptionally talented and passionate about educating their students. The programs are innovative and exciting. I hope that residents who live in the Greenburgh school district will spread the word about the positive things that are happening!
LINK TO STORY ABOUT GREENBURGH SCHOOL DISTRICT MUSIC TEACHER WHO WROTE HIT SONG POSTED BELOW……………………..
http://thehudsonindependent.com/local-music-teachers-incredible-history-surfaces-with-re-release-of-two-albums/
Paul Feiner
Greenburgh Town Supervisor