Tom Lehrer, the legendary humorist and pianist renowned for his satirical songs that cemented him as one of America’s most beloved prophets of doom, passed away at the age of 97, as reported by US media on Sunday. According to his close friend David Herder, Lehrer died on Saturday at his residence in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Lehrer’s unique brand of humor, characterized by sardonic lyrics and accompanied by his impressive piano skills, captured the hearts of audiences during the 1950s and 1960s. His satirical prowess addressed critical issues ahead of his time, including pollution and nuclear proliferation, through biting humor and witty rhymes. Beyond these serious topics, Lehrer also displayed a wicked sense of humor on subjects ranging from murder to his dislike of pigeons.
One of his most famous songs, “Poisoning Pigeons in the Park,” illustrates a couple engaging in the delightful (yet morbid) pastime of killing pigeons with strychnine. Another, “Folksong Army,” pokes fun at the 1960s’ protest movements. His activism continued through songs like “Who’s Next,” which addressed nuclear weapons, and “Pollution,” which critiqued the dangers of environmental negligence. Despite his significant impact, Lehrer seemed to withdraw from the public eye, and it was whispered that he stopped composing when his prophecies began coming true or in protest against Henry Kissinger’s Nobel Prize in 1973. In a 2000 interview, however, Lehrer dismissed these rumors, stating he had quit performing long before Kissinger’s award, and that his songwriting was never a full-time jobsaying he went “from adolescence to senility, trying to bypass maturity.”
Among his many talents, Lehrer was known for his clever adaptation of the 118 chemical elements to the tune of “A Modern Major General” from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance,” a piece that earned him admiration from Daniel Radcliffe, who sang it on a British comedy show in 2010. Radcliffe’s rendition even played a part in securing him the role of a satirical Weird Al Yankovic in a biopic.
Weird Al Yankovic paid tribute to Lehrer on Instagram, acknowledging him as a musical hero and mourning his loss. Lehrer was born on April 9, 1928, in Manhattan, attended prestigious schools, and went on to teach mathematics at notable institutions including MIT, Harvard, Wellesley College, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. His legacy as a satirist, musician, and educator leaves an indelible mark on American culture and beyond.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jul/28/tom-lehrer-dies-aged-97-dead-musical-satirist
