Monday, Jul. 30, 1984
Harmony for a Diverse Party
As Colorado Senator Gary Hart descended from the podium and plunged into the crowd after his Wednesday-night speech, the hopeful strains of Chariots of Fire washed over Moscone Center. The next night Democratic Presidential Nominee Walter Mondale, battle-scarred from his primary brawls, strode triumphantly to the platform and raised his arms like a prizefighter. The song: Theme from Rocky.
The Democrats may have talked about unity, but it was San Francisco's 50-piece Dick Crest Orchestra that provided the true harmony. Candidates could choose the music they wanted to accompany their moment at the podium from a repertoire of about 500 songs. Despite the extensive selection, Hart used recorded music. When Mondale requested Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, the band had to send out hastily for sheet music. Did the dearth of Sousa marches and the absence of brass bands offend convention regulars? Apparently not. "I like variation," said San Franciscan Paul Maag, who attended his first Democratic conclave in 1932. "I don't think I've heard Happy Days Are Here Again but twice this convention. And that's a record."