I usually write stories about past concerts or musical events that left an impression on me, mostly focusing on Jewish singers. I haven’t written too much about Jewish musicians though, because while today, there must be at least five hundred shomer Shabbos musicians in the industry, when I was growing up in the 70s, I would venture to say there weren’t more than 25.

Back then, wedding bands had a very different sound as well. Having a singer at a wedding was pretty much unheard of, other than a relative who considered himself to be a chazzan and belted out “Baruch Haba” at the chuppah. Guitar players were either for rock bands or kumzitzes, and electric keyboards were just hitting the market. Instead, every job had an accordion player. Remember those accordions? Each one weighed about 25 pounds and was strapped to the musician for the entire wedding. And every wedding had a clarinet player too, which was usually the best part – it’s one of my favorite instruments and gives a flavor no other instrument can match.

One other thing that you hardly ever see at a wedding – not then and not now – is someone playing the flute during the dance sets. One exception is Stanley “Simcha” Miller. As one of the greatest flautists around, Stanley was also a phenomenal saxophone player, electric violin player and vocalist. Additionally, he was always on the bandstand, jumping up and down, flute in hand, making everyone leibedig. Sometimes in the middle of a dancing set, he would jump off the bandstand and personally go dance with the chassan. Some of you might know him today as Dr. Stanley Miller, world-renowned chiropractor. But in those days, he was good ol’ Stanley with the magic touch.

Now, for the story: We were in the midst of recording MBD’s V’chol Maaminim in 1978, when Suki called me early one morning and said it would sound really great if we added a flute solo on one of the songs. I put a call through to Stanley, and made up that we would meet in the studio in Manhattan at 7:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Suki and I had a full day of work in the studio, and I had completely forgotten about my overdubs with Stanley. Now, for those of you who remember, Stanley was not the most conservative dresser. He had a real seventies vibe to him, along with a little more hair than your typical yeshivah bochur. He was, as they’d say in the 70s, “a bit mod.”

Seven o’clock arrived and I’m in the middle of a difficult musical edit, leaning over the studio board, concentrating heavily, when somebody taps me on the shoulder. I turn absentmindedly and get a quick glimpse of a chassid wearing a long black rekel and an up-hat. Not wanting to lose my concentration, I reached into my pocket, pulled out a dollar and handed it to him, hoping he would be satisfied with the donation. Now, as I went back to work, I felt another tap on my shoulder. I turned around again, and the man I had just handed a dollar to said, “Ding! It’s me! Stanley!” I froze, regained my composure, and said, “Stanley! Good to see you!”  Everyone started laughing, and I learned really quickly that Stanley had “switched teams” and was now playing for the chassidish crowd. I was a bit embarrassed, but Suki, without missing a beat, told Stanley, “Be smart. Keep the dollar.”

Today, Stanley is busy learning Torah and healing patients in his bustling Boro Park practice, but every once in a while, he takes out his flute to be mesameach a chassan and kallah, making an adjustment of a little more simcha in the world.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 746)