2006 Disney Legends Ceremony
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Don Edgren: Imagineering
Marty Sklar, international ambassador for Walt Disney Imagineering gave the next introduction. After pointing out that Imagineering was a blending of imagination and engineering, he said, “Most people like to focus on the ‘imagine’ part, and forget about the ‘eering’ part.�?
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Sklar detailed Edgren’s Disney career, which began in 1954 at the job site which would one year later open as Disneyland. After working on various expansions of Walt’s original Magic Kingdom, Edgren joined WED in 1961. His work on the World’s Fair projects is still represented in the animated dinosaurs seen daily from the Disneyland Railroad. He contributed his expertise to New Orleans Square, the Pirates of the Caribbean, Walt Disney World, and Disney’s first international park, Tokyo Disneyland.
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Edgren began his acceptance with a simple thank you, saying it was quite an honor. “This is a beautiful trophy,�? he added, gazing at the large sculpture. He shared a “little trivia�? with the crowd, saying that two of the most memorable moments of his life were due to the Walt Disney Company: first, when he was asked to join WED as an Imagineer; and second when he received the letter from Bob Iger informing him he was chosen as a Disney Legend. “I couldn’t get over it,�? he chuckled. “I look at all these faces… a few laughing, but laughing with me.�? As he picked up the bulky award, he finished by saying how proud and happy he was. As he walked away, after hefting his award, Sklar quipped he was, “a true engineer. He’s gonna weigh it!�?
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Jimmy Johnson: Music
Sklar next spoke of the record breaking year that Disney Records had just had with High School Musical. He lauded the contribution of Jimmy Johnson, who headed the Walt Disney Music Company from its inception in 1949. A member of the Disney Studio organization since 1938, Johnson was selected by Roy O. Disney to run the newly formed unit. Johnson focused on Disney’s characters and stories, influencing a generation of kids to “turn the page�? when Tinker Bell rang the bells. Johnson also hired Jimmie Dodd after hearing his composition “The Pencil Song.�? In December of 1958 Johnson became General Manager of the Walt Disney Music Company and served as its President from 1970 until he retired in 1975. He died the following year.
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Johnson’s three children, Glenys, Gennifer and Grey accepted on their father’s behalf. Grey said, “Dad would be so unbelievably proud of this moment.�? He then thanked the authors of the new book Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records. He stated that his father and Roy O. Disney were often on the same wavelength, never more so than when Roy said, “OK Johnny, get us in the music business.�? Grey also thanked his father’s senior secretary, Rose, saying she was the person who made the biggest difference to his father in making the Walt Disney Music Company.
Marty Sklar relinquished the lectern for the next set of introductions. Describing the next speaker as “a great graduate of Disneyland,�? Sklar welcomed Dick Cook, Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios. Taking the stage, Cook beamed, “I have the privilege of introducing four gentlemen who captured the imagination of a generation.�?
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