Biography of Robert D. Salisbury, Organist

Bob Salisbury first exhibited his interest in music at the age of seven when he began piano lessons in Los Angeles.  He moved on to organ lessons at the age of ten and theatre organ at age thirteen, studying with Gaylord Carter.  At the age of 13, he taught music at Torrance Recreation Department to other children and was assistant director of the school band.

In 1958, his family moved to Avalon on Catalina Island.  He began playing the Page Theatre Pipe
Organ in the Casino Theatre was pianist at Avalon High School and played for all three churches in town.

In 1964, Bob left Catalina to play for nine years at the 488 Keys nightclub in Redondo Beach followed by a five-year period playing for Princess cruises and as musical director for “Arden & Maize”, a British musical comedy team.    

Bob returned to Avalon in 1979 to manage the Avalon Casino Theatre, playing the Page Pipe Organ on a nightly basis before the movie. In 1985, Bob became a civilian worker for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  However, he continued playing the Page Organ on Friday and Saturday nights before the movie.  He also played for special concerts on the Rodgers 905 organ at the Avalon Community Church.    Bob has recorded work for “Tokyo Sea”, a Disney theme park in Japan and has recorded music for “Touched by An Angel”.

Bob and his wife Mary have now semi-retired to Big Bear City, California. While Bob continues to play silent movies and concerts, he is now also Product Specialist for Robert Tall and Associates, Inc., instructing on use of Roland and Rodgers instruments.  His newest love is “Skippy” a quarter horse he rides with his wife and her new horse Snowy in the mountains above Big Bear.  

Bob has performed at the Ebell Theater, Orpheum Theater, Pasadena Civic Auditorium and for the Valley Organ Club, the San Diego Theatre Organ Society and the Sierra Theater Organ Society in Sacramento.   

He recently played a silent movie for the Directors’ Guild of America at their theater on Sunset Blvd.

His favorite program is always the one he does next!