Remembering Chuck Mangione: The Soundtrack of Many Musical Journies
- Marc Whitt
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
By Marc C. Whitt
The music world lost a giant today with the passing of Chuck Mangione—composer, flugelhornist, bandleader, and one of the most influential instrumental voices of the 20th century. His melodies soared, his tone was unmistakable, and his impact on a generation of young musicians—myself included—was profound.
Chuck Mangione didn’t just play the flugelhorn. He defined it for many of us. He made it sing with warmth, joy, and emotion. In fact, I dare say he did for the flugelhorn what Harry James, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Maynard Ferguson, and Doc Severinsen did for the trumpet—he made it mainstream, cool, and unforgettable.
For me, the journey began in 1978 when I first saw Chuck and his band perform “Land of Make Believe” on Don Kirshner’s Midnight Special. I was mesmerized. The way he blended jazz, pop, and orchestral elements was magical—unlike anything I’d heard before. From that moment on, I was hooked.
About a year later, Chuck Mangione and his band came to Eastern Kentucky University’s Alumni Coliseum during its Feels So Good Tour. The venue was packed—students, musicians, and fans of all ages filled the seats, ready to experience the magic live.
Although I didn’t get to meet Chuck himself that night, I did have a brief and heartwarming encounter with his father, who was proudly working the merch table in the lobby. I bought a Feels So Good t-shirt , and he smiled warmly and said, “My boy is such a good boy! You enjoy his concert.” And I did. It was unforgettable.
Many years later, I purchased my first and only flugelhorn. And almost immediately, friends started jokingly calling me “Chuck” -a nod to the man who had made the instrument sing and brought it into the hearts of so many of us. I’m sure that’s a similar story for many others who held and played a fluegelhorn —and that speaks volumes about his influence.
Chuck Mangione brought instrumental music to the forefront of teen and young adult culture in the 1970s and 80s. At a time when popular music was dominated by vocals and lyrics, Chuck reminded the world that a melody, if played with enough passion, didn’t need words to be powerful.
Like so many of my band buddies growing up at that time, Chuck Mangione was a fixture in our musical journey. His compositions like Feels So Good, Chase the Clouds Away, Land of Make Believe, Hill Where the Lord Hides, and Children of Sanchez weren’t just songs—they were soundtracks to rehearsals, concerts, and countless hours spent trying to get that tone just right. His music helped shape not just our skills, but our love for music itself.
Today, as I reflect on his legacy, I’m grateful for all he gave us—for the joy, the inspiration, and the sound that could lift spirits and stir souls.
Thank you, Chuck Mangione, for making us feel so good. 🎶
Rest easy, Maestro. Your music lives on—in every note we play, and every memory you helped create.