Mark Russell may have been renowned nationwide when the comedian and political satirist died March 30 at the age of 90. But at the National Press Club, long-time members remember his special affection for the Club and his many, many appearances at Silver Owls events, luncheon speeches and Club presidential inaugurals – including mine in 1994.
Just announcing he was appearing assured a sell-out event.
Russell was well known for standing at the keyboard of a grand piano, banging out satirical songs about Washington politics. His non-stop witticisms and songs that skewered both parties played on parodies of popular songs to poke fun of what was happening in the news. During the Watergate scandal, he often said he no problem finding material – it was just rip and read.
Russell officially retired in 2010, but came back to the Club in 2013 to perform at the centennial of the National Press Club Spelling Bee. His last appearance at the Club was in 2016 when he returned at age 83 for one more Silver Owls Hoot. Given the nature of the political campaign that year, he could not pass up a chance for one more performance.
Russell never charged to perform at the Club; he was always eager to come. The Silver Owls, which are members of more than 25 years, presented him with its “Order of the Owl,” which is a special tribute awarded to those who have given “a hoot” about journalism and contributed to the Club.
I personally became a fan of Mark Russell when I worked in 1972 between college and graduate school at the front desk of the Shoreham Hotel where Russell performed nightly in the Marquis Lounge on the other side of the lobby. I could hear the laughter and dropped in to watch. It gave me the incentive to try to get back to Washington while I started my career at the Tampa Tribune.
So, it was a thrill to me in the early 1990s to moderate a sold-out Club luncheon in August for Mark.
When I heard that he had an unfulfilled ambition to have a sandwich named after him, I asked Club executive chef Curtis Eargle to create the Mark Russell Sandwich. Symbolic of Russell’s performances, it had a good dose of ham, some turkey, smoky gouda cheese (as a reminder of the smoky Marquis Lounge), spicy coleslaw and zippy mustard, all sandwiched between piano keys of crusty ivory sourdough and ebony pumpernickel breads.
Mark loved it, and It was on the Reliable Source menu for years.
