Question: I would like to know who played the organ in the Egyptian Theatre between 1950 and 1960. He played it during the day and my sister could hear him when he practiced. She worked in the Pioneer Hardware store next door.

Answer: This answer is a bit tricky, as this mysterious musician could have been one or more people, depending on who you talk to.

Lee Littlefield, who has played the Egyptian’s “Mighty Wurlitzer” for Christmas concerts and other events since the 1960s, said the organist may have been Phil Giles or Jack Coxon.

She said Coxon played it regularly for practice and his own enjoyment in the 1960s but probably not for the shows.

She said he also played music in the Sky Room, a restaurant in the Chandler Hotel building, and he also appeared on a radio show called “Live from the Sky Room,” on the former Koos radio station in the old Hall building.

Other information suggested Giles had moved out of the area during that era, so he probably wasn’t the one playing. Coxon has been described as a Jackie Gleason type. He was very adept at playing the pipe organ and he died years ago.

According to information provided by the Coos Historical & Maritime Museum, a number of musicians have played the organ, including Rex Stratton, Stanley McSwain, Colin P. McNab, Harold Ott, Don Loftus, Leslie Sherrill, Ann Heath, Littlefield, Coxon and Giles.

Finally, Paul Quarino, who has cared for the old instrument since 1980, said it could have been Coxon, Giles or McNab who played the organ in the 1950s and ’60s.

He agreed with Littlefield that Coxon played an electronic organ in the dining room of the Chandler.

“Jack Coxon seems to have played a lot,” Quarino said.