Robert New

Tribute

Robert Larry New, known as Larry New, was a husband and father, an incredible singer, but more importantly, he was a man of honor- a true unsung hero. He battled the dark forces who silenced him and kept his beautiful voice from belonging to the world. Larry never lost hope, and now can sing with the angels. Music was his life. He wrote music, including Blues Boulevard, a rock musical with 20 original songs stylizing the two-act play after the Vegas experiences with Shea and organized crime, who wanted him to front ownership of the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino. He turned down the offer and escaped with his life, though the vendetta followed him for the rest of his career. He had met Shea, his true love of 48 years, in Vegas, while singing in Le Casino de Paris and she dancing in Les Folies Bergere. His career highlights were still impressive and included the KenJoLairs with A&M Records, the background vocals for Alpert's The Lonely Bull, The New Classic Singers with Capitol Records, Each in His Time the Nashville release by American Records, the world tour with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Box, a short film that won a 1973 Education award, What’s Hot at the Lily Langtry Theater, The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, Off Broadway’s What Makes a Heart Happy, the City of Angels with Hal Linden and Larry Gelbart, and his CD’s Tried and True and With Love From New To You. For much of his recorded music, he collaborated with Guy Babylon and David Moscoe with stellar results. One project was for his production Planet Ôk and the Co-Creators, a science fiction ballet choreographed by Shea, in which Larry wrote the song Forever within the score by Guy that won a Keyboard Magazine Award for Babylon Bleu. Along with his wife, he founded Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival, later called Palm Desert Choreography Festival. Together, they also established Cathedral City Professional Arts Center. He won awards for his roles as Mephistopheles in Faust, Juan Peron in Evita, and in Blues Boulevard. He was a consummate singer with a five-octave range. He could sing any style of music from country, rock, blues, big band, opera, to a personal style he called Popera. Larry was the soloist for 10 years for the Religious Science Church in Palm Desert. The minister, Dr. Tom Costa, called him his opening act, but he brought the congregation to their feet with many admitting seeing angels behind him. He had other opportunities to become famous, but he would not concede to the demands that were placed on him, as many were illegal or immoral. He did offer his voice to many charities, such as his favorites, People Helping People, founded by Betty Oppenheim, and the Arthritis Foundation under Bebe Green. Larry and Shea took care of his mother, Marie, for 6 years after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, but considered California his home. Larry succumbed sadly to Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.

Friends & Family

Larry New is survived by his wife, Shea, his three daughters, Karen, Robin, and Loren, and his grandchildren. Both his sister Joyce and his mother, Marie, preceded him in death.