Longtime ‘Disneylander’ Ernie McLean has passed away today.
Truly sad to hear of this: while I never spoke to Mr. McLean that I recall, I certainly got used to seeing him at the park and he was ingrained as being part of the park I thought would always be there. I always enjoyed stopping to listen to him play with the small crowd that would gather down at the end of Royal Street near the Court of Angels in New Orleans Square.
McLean played the park five days a week well into his 80’s, and had worked with famous rock and blues musicians early in his career before being hired (by Walt himself, many say) for Disneyland’s entertainment department.
Rest in piece, Ernie. Those who heard your music in the park and took a brief respite to listen certainly miss you.
Photo taken in October, 2010.
As much as I loved the picture of him walking away to end the other reblog I posted, here’s a much better picture (and a much better eulogy).
