Died On This Date (March 10, 2011) Eddie Snyder / American Composer & Lyricist
themusicsover Eddie Snyder
February 22, 1919 – March 10, 2011
Eddie Snyder was an American composer who is best remembered for co-writing the English lyrics and music for the Frank Sinatra hit, “Strangers In The Night.” The song was first written by a Croation songwriter, the piece eventually ended up with Snyder who helped create the English lyrics and complete the music with Bert Kaempfert and Charles Singleton. Although Sinatra reportedly hated the song, his rendition of it was the title song of his most successful album and won three Grammys. Snyder also co-wrote the Al Martino hit, “Spanish Eyes.” Songs that Snyder either wrote or co-wrote have been recorded by the likes of Elvis Presley (“Spanish Eyes”), Johnny Mathis (“A Time For Us”), and Perry Como (“The Girl With The Golden Braids”) to name just a few. Eddie Snyder passed away on March 10, 2011 at the age of 92.
Thanks to Anne Bentley for the assist.
George Shearing was a popular and influential jazz pianist and composer who could claim over 300 pieces as his own. Born blind in London, Shearing spent his early professional career playing in an all-blind band – he started playing the piano at just three years old. During his late 20s, Shearing moved to the United States where he continued to master his complex style of swing, bop and bebop. In 1949, he formed the George Shearing Quintet and went on to record for such labels as Verve, Capitol, and MGM. His hits included “Lullaby Of Birdland” and “September In The Rain.” Over the years he’s collaborated with the likes of 
John Barry was a prolific composer whose iconic works include eleven of the James Bond film scores. It was Barry’s music in those movies that helped create a mood that defined the character and series. Over a career that stretched across five decades, Barry won numerous awards including five Academy Awards, a Grammy, and a BAFTA, which is the British equivalent of an Oscar. His other film scores include Out of Africa, Born Free, Midnight Cowboy, Dances With Wolves, Chaplin, and Somewhere In Time, to name just a few. Barry also scored numerous television programs. Many of his soundtracks included singles that landed high on both UK and US charts. John Barry was 77 when, on January 30, 2011, he died of a heart attack.
Milton Babbitt was an American composer who helped develop the world’s first synthesizer during the 1950s. Babbitt was just 4 years old when he took up the violin, and within a few years he branched out to the saxophone and clarinet. He was arranging songs by the time he was 7, and winning songwriting contests by 13. In college, Babbitt received honors for his studies in both music and mathematics. After the development of RCA’s Mark II synthesizer, Babbitt devoted his time and energy to making electronic music, often combining synthesizer and conventional instruments. Milton Babbitt passed away on January 29, 2011. He was 94.
Geoffrey Burgon was a British composer who is best remembered for his television and film scores. Burgon learned to play the trumpet in grade school and until the age of 30, he played professionally as part of various jazz bands. Growing tired of it, he turned to his other love, composing. His first piece of note was 1976’s Requiem. He found his most success on British television, composing award winning music for the likes of Brideshead Revisted and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He also created music for Monty Python’s Life Of Brian, Doctor Who, and The Chronicles Of Narnia. His music could be heard on the BBC and ITV over the past four decades. Geoffrey Burgon was 69 when he passed away on September 21, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately release.