Famed pianist and Pops legend Peter Nero has died at 89

The musical auteur and longtime director of the Philadelphia Pops died Thursday, but his winning charm and graceful pianism will be remembered beyond the scores he conducted and concert stages he graced.

Peter Nero, famed pianist and long-time player-conductor of Philly Pops,
has died at age 89.

by Earl Hopkins and Peter Dobrin

Peter Nero, 89, the legendary pianist, longtime player-conductor of the Philly Pops, and jazz maestro, died Thursday.

His daughter, Beverly Nero, said he died of natural causes at Home Care Assisted Living Facility in Eustis, Fla. Services will be private.

“We are saddened today to hear of Peter Nero’s passing,” the Philly Pops wrote in a statement. “There are countless unforgettable moments which Peter brought to Philadelphia. The Philly Pops has always been inspired by his vision, his talent, and his artistry.”

The former child prodigy was born Bernard Nierow on May 22, 1934 and began his musical journey on the New York children’s talent-show circuit. Equipped with nimble fingers and a winning charm that endeared the crowds, he rose from smoky piano lounges to concert stages at the summit of his musical powers.

The revered pianist, who worked with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart, Johnny Mathis and Mel Tormé, carved his path by releasing acclaimed albums and taking up club dates and talk show appearances. That all led to his repute as a musical treasure and beloved showman who could program a two-hour concert that blended pop, classic and jazz genres.

“I enjoy showing how the lines blur,” Mr. Nero said in a 2007 interview with The Inquirer.

Mr. Nero knew no musical bounds, and as much as he delighted his listeners and patrons who basked in his artistic glory for decades at the Kimmel Center, he dared to explore the freedom of his artistry by simply playing the music he liked. “It has to be a combination of things you put in their laps and things that are a challenge because if it’s not a challenge, they’re going to get bored,” Mr. Nero told The Inquirer.

His recordings started in 1961, when the young musician signed with RCA to a 24-album deal over eight years, which in today’s industry is a deal more likely found in a trash bin than sealed and signed in a manila folder.

Before landing his first deal, Mr. Nero studied at New York’s High School of Music and Art, now the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, and studied part time at Juilliard on Saturdays. And while earning a bachelor of arts degree at Brooklyn College, he studied privately with esteemed piano pedagogues Abram Chasins and Chasins’ wife, Constance Keene.

Although Mr. Nero said his parents weren’t musically inclined, they splurged by buying him a $1,100 piano, quite pricey for the era. “It was the only time they borrowed money,” Mr. Nero said.

Mr. Nero played the children’s talent shows during the 1950s and eventually garnered the attention of Paul Whiteman, whom he toured with for several years.

After playing with his own trio at the Tropicana in Las Vegas, Mr. Nero returned to New York and was eventually hired by Jilly’s, a 52nd Street saloon that served as a hangout for Frank Sinatra, Jackie Gleason, and a troupe of musicians.

Under owner Jilly Rizzo, Mr. Nero developed his jazz chops, and the deal with RCA and his eventual move to Columbia Records sealed his fate as a long-standing musical titan. In the 1970s, the “Summer of ‘42″ single helped him land sales of $1 million.

Peter Nero in the late 1970s

Over the course of his career, Mr. Nero released upward of 70 albums and conducted the Philly Pops often with one hand while the other gilded over the piano keys.

Mr. Nero’s talents were acknowledged among his peers. Ray Charles marveled at Mr. Nero’s abilities in an interview with Keyboard Magazine: “Art Tatum could play anything he wanted to. ... Of course, Oscar [Peterson] is my man. ... I probably feel closest to Hank Jones after Oscar. ... And Peter Nero plays his buns off!”

Mr. Nero took his final stand as Philadelphia Pops director in 2013.

The crowd rose in a standing ovation before he graced the keyboard, and Mr. Nero gave his last directorial signal before closing out that concert in Verizon Hall.

“The board, musicians, and administration of the No Name Pops are saddened to learn of the passing of our musical hero, Peter Nero,” the group wrote in a statement, using the name that the group has been going by lately. “We remember years of playing in front of Independence Hall, on the Steps of the Art Museum, the Academy of Music, and of course, Verizon Hall on the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Words cannot describe the joy he brought to Philadelphia and the world. The No Name Pops will do everything in our power to honour Peter’s Legacy as we move forward.”

Mr. Nero was married and divorced three times. His first wife was childhood sweetheart Marcia Dunner, with whom he had two children, Jedd and Beverly. His second was Peggy Altman, a flight attendant from Alabama, and the third, former Philly Pops pianist Rebecca Edie.

Along with his daughter, Mr. Nero is survived by his son, Jedd; three grandchildren; and his brother, Alan.

First published at The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 9, 2023