Life is full of surprises, and one such unanticipated incident altered David Tolley’s course. On December 19, 1985, while watching Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show in the studio, an unexpected event occurred. The guest was supposed to be classical pianist Horatio Gutierrez, but Carson disclosed that he would be unable to play due to a hand injury. Carson asked if anyone in the audience could play any odd rhythms on the piano.
Tolley, who had taken piano lessons as a child, quickly adjusted. He took the stage and started playing “Memory,” a well-known Cats tune. He received a standing ovation from the audience and gained notoriety for his unexpected performance.
The day following the incident, Tolley’s phone started ringing constantly.
