Gus Farney

Francis Stillmen "Gus" Farney (October 9, 1901 – April 17, 1964) was an American theatre organist, pianist, and music teacher based in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was active as a professional organist for over four decades and became closely associated with Larry Bray's Organ Loft in South Salt Lake.

Biography

Farney was born on October 9, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Bernard T. and Della Farney. He began piano study at the age of five and was a graduate of West High School in Salt Lake City, where he was the intermountain states' 220-yard dash champion.

During his high school years he toured as a professional pianist. In 1922 he began accompanying silent films on organ for Pantages and Fox theatres across several western states, following study under John McClellan, a former organist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and J. R. Wayne of Los Angeles.

He later undertook two additional years of study in Denver under Franz Rath Jr., a protégé of Henry Murtaugh, at the Isis Theatre Hope-Jones organ.

Farney died of a heart ailment on April 17, 1964, at his home at 776 E. 21st South, Salt Lake City, at the age of 62. He was survived by his widow, a stepson and stepdaughter, and seven grandchildren. Gus Farney at the Giant 5 Manual Wurlitzer Organ (Warner Bros. Records, W/WS 1409, 1961) Giant Pipes (Warner Bros. Records, B 1433, 1962)