In the summer of 1961, Ron Logan traveled with the UCLA band for a tour of Europe. The senior trumpet major led a breakout jazz band that played for King Frederick of Denmark. In attendance as a special guest of the king was Walt Disney.
It turned out to be an omen. Logan, who graduated from UCLA with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music and Music Education, began working for the Walt Disney Company in 1960, playing trumpet. He worked elsewhere as well, both as a musician and an educator. Logan served as director of bands at James Monroe High School in Sepulveda before becoming the director of bands and jazz studies at Long Beach City College, which he held until 1978.
Then he went to work for Walt Disney full time. He began as music director at Walt Disney World in Florida, conducting the park’s marching band. He rose to Executive Vice President and Executive Producer of Walt Disney Entertainment Worldwide.
Logan produced large-scale live entertainment for Disney’s parks, including Fantasmic, which played at Disneyland in 1992 and Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1998, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, which played at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 1989, Festival of the Lion King, which played at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in 1998, and Buffalo Bill’s Wildwest Show which played at Disneyland Paris in 1992. He was part of the production team that brought Beauty and the Beast to Broadway, and he helped found Walt Disney Theatrical Productions, where he served as president.
He also produced five Superbowl halftime shows and, by the end of his career, oversaw all live entertainment at Disney’s theme parks, on its cruise ships, and in its resorts.
Logan retired in 2001. He was named a Disney legend in 2007. He passed away on August 30, 2022 at the age of 84.
The School of Music honors Ron Logan’s career and work, from his accomplishments as a trumpet performance major at UCLA, to directing a high school marching band, to producing so much live entertainment. He brought joy to countless people.