David Carroll - 'Love Can't Happen' [Donahue 1990]

David Carroll performs "Love Can't Happen" from GRAND HOTEL accompanied by composer Maury Yeston. Live on DONAHUE, circa 1990.

[Richiesutherland]

I knew David for the last 14 years of his short life and, like just about everyone who knew him, I was hopelessly in love with him!  He was a wonderful friend, and the man had everything.  Fantastic, exciting voice, beautiful diction, superb intelligence, a great sense of humor, the tremendous energy of a star, and then, need I say, that he was stunningly handsome?  His early death was one of the true tragedies in Broadway history, but I am glad this clip exists to show the world his enormous talent.  But what we would all give to have had nother 40+ years of him?

[Thommyn]

I am thankful we had another powerhouse like Brent Barret to take over for the Cast recording like he did in the original run.
But it is still unbelievably tragic that David life was cut short right when he was at the mic ready to immortalize all his songs with the rest of the original cast.
Also infuriating the recording was delayed for 2 years because of legal disputes in the creative team.
I'm sure he's up there beyond the pearly gates taking a glass with his fellow late costar Michael Jeter.

[stuartmuzic]

An iconic, gorgeous voice that thrills me every time I hear it. Such a unique timbre filled with drama and warmth with no fall off at the end of notes. Like a friend once said, it's like he had a propeller in his throat.

[Prog-Radio]

If you want to hear something truly amazing, listen to David Carroll sing Anthem from the original Broadway cast of Chess. He was awesome. Lost too soon.

[whatdoyousuppose]

Oh gosh I am crying, we lost this man far too soon :'(

[tejaswoman]

Never knew that any musical other than _A Chorus Line_ performed on _Donahue_! Thank you ever so much for sharing.

[richhadfield]

I saw this on Broadway but David had already left the show due to his declining health.  What a terrible loss of a wonderful voice and actor.

[flannerymonaghan-morris]

Such a hauntingly beautiful song and voice…I wasn’t born yet at the time that Grand Hotel was first staged. Man what wouldn’t I give to go back in time and see it being performed, or even have a revival. I mean, it’s been over 30 years. Why not now?

I hate that AIDS had to end his life. It took so many talented performers away in their prime, just wiped them out…

[jaygatz]

I missed David in Grand Hotel, but did see John Schneider and Brent Barrett in the role. However, I loved David's singing on the recording of Girl Crazy, with Lorna Luft. He was in fine form.

[maryskelly]

Struck down in his prime and a loss for all of us.

[jennifernovak]

You have made my YEAR with this clip.  I don't know how I missed this the first time around.  Grand Hotel was and shall remain my all-time favorite musical.  And seeing David again, so gloriously at his peak in this clip, just brings tears to my eyes.  Thank you.  

[michael]

David Carroll possessed the most beautiful voice! Gone much too soon.

[robertoweilviso]

David Carroll! What a unique beautiful and powerful voice.. 🙏🙏🙏

[robertgold]

This is such a wonderful treat to have here. I saw him on Broadway in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and I thought he was wonderful in that. Here he radiates such confidence and power. We are lucky to have these awesome, old clips from the past to remind us why someone was so talented. It's like what Liza Minnelli said in That's Entertainment Part 1 about watching film and to experience someone's greatness.

[cindiverbelun]

It is a REAL SHAME that it took so long to record the OBC recording of Grand Hotel. David died on the first recording day during a break, in the john. That's why the only recording of Love Can't Happen on the soundtrack is from his cabaret and he's not on the soundtrack at all. FROM WIKIPEDIA: Suffering from AIDS, he died of a pulmonary embolism in the restroom of the New York City BMG/RCA studio while attempting to record the cast album for Grand Hotel. The album had been delayed for years because of rights issues and legal disputes over the score. For the cast recording Brent Barrett ultimately performed the role of the Baron, but Carroll was featured on a bonus track: singing the Baron's solo number "Love Can't Happen", recorded during his cabaret performance at Steve McGraw's on 14 February 1991 with Wally Harper at the piano.

[bighuge]

I was fortunate to see him on Broadway in Chess. Thank you for posting this video.

[richardburchett]

He was brilliant.  Thanks for sharing this gem.

[DrexelGregory]

Great voice. He does an amazing job at handling higher notes.

[misstraceynolan]

Thank you for posting! I've been looking for this on youtube forever.  We had it on VHS back in the day and probably wore the tape out! :)

[williamneale]

Heavens, it’s got different lyrics and additional melody!