Biography

Bob McCarthy was born on May 26, 1931 in New York City, New York, USA. He is known for The Return of the Living Dead (1985), Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) and The Fisher King (1991). He died on October 31, 1999 in Northridge, California, USA.

Most people may have known Bob McCarthy for his work in the 70's with major rock bands. One of his best known effects was the Spinning Piano. It was used by some in the 60's but made prominent in the 1970's by Emerson, lake and Palmer. Keith Emerson used it on the Brain Salad Surgery tour 1973-1974. It made a national TV appearance at the California Jam.Bob McCarthy was the creator of this & many other special effects for ELP and several other rock bands of the 70's & 80's.KISS, Genesis, Yes, Earth, Wind & Fire,Bon Jovi,Blue Oyster Cult, Dokken..This is an endless list.

He wrote the special effects book 'Secrets of Hollywood Special Effects' published in 1992 by Butterworth-Heinemann.