Life is full of surprises, and one such unexpected incident altered David Tolleyâs course. On December 19, 1985, while watching Johnny Carsonâs Tonight Show in the studio, something unexpected occurred. The guest was supposed to be classical pianist Horatio Gutierrez, but Carson disclosed that he would be unable to perform due to a hand injury. Carson asked if anyone in the audience could play any odd rhythms on the piano.
Having studied piano as a child, Tolley immediately settled in. He walked onto the stage and started to play âMemory,â from the hit musical Cats. He received a standing ovation from the crowd and gained notoriety for his unexpected performance.
The day following the event, Tolleyâs phone started ringing incessantly. Calls offering parts in films, positions on cruise ships, and other chances were made to him. An accidental late-night encounter on a chat show had altered his life irrevocably. The story of Tolleyâs unexpected triumph serves as a cautionary tale about being ready to seize lifeâs opportunities and overcome its challenges at all times.
