Palm Springs moderator mourns Rob Reiner ahead of planned interview; local couple recalls personal visit
Shay Lawson
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Bruce Fessier said he was preparing for a Q&A with filmmaker Rob Reiner Tuesday at the Palm Springs Plaza Theatre to kick off the Palm Springs Speaks series.
Instead, he said he learned that Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, had been killed.
“Stunned, just gobsmacked,” Fessier said. “I had been preparing all afternoon for this interview that I was going to be doing with him on Tuesday, and I had actually started doing my research a few weeks ago.”
He said the hours spent rewatching films and preparing questions made the loss feel personal.
“I just felt like he was a friend,” Fessier said. “I was looking forward to conveying some information that maybe not everybody knew about him.”
Fessier pointed to Reiner’s political activism as central to his legacy, particularly his role in challenging Proposition 8 through the courts.
“Rob Reiner made this a better country,” Fessier said. “He was a great filmmaker, but he should really be remembered as much for his social activism.”
The interview, Fessier said, would have leaned into Reiner’s improvisational spirit.
“We’re very fortunate to live in the Coachella Valley where we have so many opportunities.”
For one Palm Springs couple, those opportunities included an unexpected, intimate visit with Reiner years earlier.
Gary and Joan Gand said they met Reiner in the spring of 2017 when a tour guide called to ask if Reiner could see Gary Gand’s extensive guitar collection.
“Being a musician, I have a big collection of guitars,” Gary said. “I said I’d love to meet him. Big Spinal Tapfans.”
The Gand’s recalled joking with Reiner about amplifier volume.
“You think 11 is loud, wait’ll you hear this thing,” Gary said.
He explained his vintage amps “go up to 12.” He said Reiner got a big laugh out of that.
As Reiner toured the room, Gary said he spotted a Peter Gunn album.
“He looked at that album and he said, ‘Best song ever. Peter Gunn,’” Gand said.
Joan added, “We just love that because we actually agree with him. We just thought he was so cool.”
Gary said the visit included Reiner’s family, conversations about music and movies and one lasting memento.
“He autographed my guitar for me,” Gary said.
The Gand’s described Reiner as warm and approachable.
“He was super friendly and just not standoffish at all,” Joan said. “Just like a guy that you would want to be friends with. They were all super nice”
Reading the news of the Reiner’s death was devastating, the couple said.
“It was the most horrible thing,” Joan said. “I just don’t know what to make of it.”
Fessier said the shock of the moment is still settling in.
“One moment you’re preparing for the future and 10 minutes later it’s the past,” he said. “You’re looking at your notes that you had just written down … and all of a sudden it’s part of a different era and we’re moving on. And that’s history.”
Stay with News Channel 3 for the full report at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.