Gary Herb, a founding member of gay performance group Gotham, died on March 8 at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore. He succumbed to an AIDS-related liver condition at 56, according to his friend David McDaniel.
Herb was born on July 7, 1951 in Salisbury, Md., to parents who were also in show business. In 1972 he co-founded Gotham, America’s first openly gay comedy/cabaret act. The three-member group was well-reviewed by the press and performed in a variety of locations before appearing on the Merv Griffin Show in 1974. They gave two sold-out concerts at the Kennedy Center in 1976 and were the first openly gay act to play Carnegie Hall in 1978.
Herb is survived by his partner of 23 years, Michael Denofrio of Salisbury, Md., and his aunt and uncle, Pearl and Arthur Melyn of Florida. Memorial donations may be sent to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, 165 W. 46th St., No. 1300, New York, NY 10036.
ZACK ROSEN
Philip Leonard, 66
Longtime Washington resident Philip Leonard died suddenly of cardiac arrest at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on March 1. He was 66.
Leonard was born on Jan. 3, 1942, in Lincolnton, N.C., and moved to Washington in 1976. He worked as a lecturer in adult programs for the National Gallery of Art and also taught classes at the Smithsonian Institute, the Johns Hopkins University Odyssey Program, the English Speaking Union and various other museums throughout the country and in Canada.
According to his partner of 23 years, Thomas Mabon, Leonard was known for his “easy to understand teaching style, his irreverent sense of humor and his kindness to all.”
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at All Souls Episcopal, 2300 Cathedral Ave., N.W.
ZACK ROSEN
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Michael Bedwell on 4/11/088:45 PM:
WOW! Gary Herb & Gotham are among my most treasured moments of living in DC in the late 70s! Their out fun & wonderful romantic harmonies imaged a new gay world [the "Entertainment Liberation Front" per Vito Russo] that, we didn't realize then, was simultaneously being poisoned by HIV. Locally, they dazzled at Waaay Off Broadway, the anti Anita benefit, etc. Boys, you worked your spell on me! I was honored to have heard, met, & reviewed you. THANK YOU for the memories & Gary Rest In Peace! Vintage pix, music samples, & video at
http://www.queermusicheritage.us/apr2004.html
Gary Herb, a founding member of gay performance group Gotham, died on March 8 at the University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore. He succumbed to an AIDS-related liver condition at 56, according to his friend David McDaniel. 
Longtime Washington resident Philip Leonard died suddenly of cardiac arrest at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on March 1. He was 66. 
