Harry Connick Jr. Shares Touching Tribute to Rob Reiner, Recalls ‘When Harry Met Sally’ Breakthrough

Musician Harry Connick Jr. has shared a heartfelt personal tribute to the late director Rob Reiner. He details their first collaboration on the iconic film “When Harry Met Sally.” Connick’s reflections provide an intimate look at how Reiner changed his life.

The tribute highlights Reiner’s unique directorial style and profound generosity. It underscores the lasting impact of their creative partnership on Connick’s career and the film’s legendary soundtrack.

The Unforgettable Studio Session That Launched a Career

Connick was just 21 years old when he got the call. Reiner invited the young pianist to Los Angeles to create solo piano underscoring. According to Connick’s account in Rolling Stone, he had no idea what to expect.

He found himself alone on a massive soundstage with just a Steinway grand piano. Reiner’s instruction was simple: start playing when a green strip moved across the screen and stop at the red strip. Connick improvised the music scene by scene, shadowing the actors’ conversations.

This process was both terrifying and exhilarating for the young artist. Reiner was precise and demanding, yet kind and patient. His guidance helped Connick connect deeply with the film’s emotional moments.

From One Song to a Defining Soundtrack Album

The collaboration expanded far beyond the initial plan. Connick was originally slated to perform only “It Had To Be You.” Contractual issues led to him singing and playing every song on the final soundtrack album.

Reiner gave Connick remarkable creative freedom. When asked how to play “Winter Wonderland,” Reiner again said, “Whatever you want.” Connick delivered a New Orleans-style version that made the final cut.

The recording of “It Had To Be You” became a pivotal moment. Reiner asked Connick to end on a challenging high F note. The successful take prompted a celebratory reaction from the director, confirming they had captured something special.

This unique partnership produced one of the most beloved film soundtracks of all time. The “When Harry Met Sally” experience fundamentally shaped Harry Connick Jr.’s artistic path and left a permanent mark on popular culture.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: How did Rob Reiner first contact Harry Connick Jr.?

Reiner called Connick at his father’s home in New Orleans in 1988. The director invited the young musician to Los Angeles to work on his new film, which was then titled “Harry, This Is Sally.”

Q2: What was Connick’s main task for the film?

His initial job was to improvise solo piano music to underscore specific scenes. He watched the film on a large screen and played along, following visual cues to start and stop his performances.

Q3: Why did Connick end up performing the entire soundtrack?

While he was only contracted for one song, contractual issues with other artists arose. This led Reiner to ask Connick to record all the vocal tracks for the official soundtrack album.

Q4: How did this film affect Connick’s career?

The soundtrack was a massive commercial success, winning Connick his first Grammy Award. It launched him into international stardom as a vocalist and established his signature style.

Q5: What was Rob Reiner’s key piece of advice?

Reiner told Connick, “If you ever want to do anything in this business, do it yourself.” He emphasized self-reliance and taking personal initiative to achieve success.