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Gus Farney

1901 – 1964

American theatre organist and music teacher

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About Gus Farney

Lived 1901 – 1964 (aged 62). Gus Farney was a musician.

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)

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Also known as
Francis Stillman Farney, Francis Stillmen Farney

People in Gus Farney's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Gus Farney's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Gus Farney?

American theatre organist and music teacher

When was Gus Farney born?

Gus Farney was born on 9 October 1901 in Chicago.

When did Gus Farney die?

Gus Farney died on 17 April 1964 in Salt Lake City.

What was Gus Farney's occupation?

Gus Farney was a musician.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Gus Farney

· Wikidata: Q139815069

· DBpedia: Gus Farney

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Gus Farney. https://biography.guide/gus-farney/

MLA: "Gus Farney." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/gus-farney/.

Chicago: "Gus Farney." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/gus-farney/.

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