Died On This Date (March 11, 2011) Hugh Martin / Wrote “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”

Hugh Martin
August 11, 1914 – March 11, 2011

Hugh Martin was a highly successful American theatrical and film composer and arranger.   Over the course of a career that spanned some 60 years, Martin wrote the music and in some cases the lyrics for such musicals as Make A Wish, High Spirits, and his most celebrated, Meet Me In St. Louis, in which Judy Garland sang his  “The Trolley Song,” “The Boy Next Door,” and “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.”  He also worked as a vocal arranger on Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Sugar Babies, and Top Banana to name a few.  His film credits include Athena, The Girl Most Likely, and Best Foot Forward.  Hugh Martin was 96 when he passed away on March 11, 2011.

You can learn more about Hugh Martin by watching THIS INTERVIEW for the National Association of Music Merchants.



Died On This Date (March 10, 2011) Eddie Snyder / American Composer & Lyricist

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.



Died On This Date (September 22, 2010) Eddie Fisher / 1950s Pop Star

Eddie Fisher
August 10, 1928 – September 22, 2010

Eddie Fisher was a singer who became one of the world’s most popular entertainers during the 1950s.  Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Fisher started winning local amateur contest while still just a child.  By the mid ’40s, he was fronted various regionally popular big bands, and was soon discovered by Eddie Cantor who helped him land a record deal with RCA Victor.  After serving in Korea, where he fronted the Army Band, he began turning up on TV variety shows, helping him become one of the most popular pre-rock ‘n roll singers.  He went on to sell millions of records, co-star in several motion pictures, and host his own television show.  He continued making albums up until the mid ’80s.  Eddie Fisher was married to Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor and Connie Stevens.  His children include actresses Carrie Fisher, Joely Fisher,  and Tricia Leigh Fisher.  On September 9, 2010, Eddie Fisher broke his hip, and died two weeks later of complications from hip surgery.  He was 82.

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Eddie Fisher

Died On This Date (August 24, 1978) Louis Prima / Jazz Legend

Louis Prima
December 7, 1910 – August 24, 1978

Louis Prima was a popular jazz trumpeter, singer, and band leader who came to prominence performing and recording with his then-wife, Keely Smith.  Thanks to his big personality on stage, Prima and his jazz combo became a popular Las Vegas draw during the ’50s.  Prima and Smith won a Grammy in 1959 for their single, “That Old Black Magic.”  His widest exposure came thanks to the 1967 Disney film, Jungle Book.  In it, Prima voiced the popular orangutan, King Louie and sang the hit song, “I Wanna Be Like You.”  In 1975, Prima’s doctors discovered a stem brain tumor.  During the surgery to remove it, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, putting him into a coma.  He passed away on August 24, 1978 at the age of 67.

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Capitol Collectors Series: Louis Prima - Louis Prima

Died On This Date (August 23, 1990) David Rose / Wrote “The Stripper”

David Rose
June 15, 1910 – August 23, 1990

DavidRoseDavid Rose was a songwriter and composer best known for writing “The Stripper.”  Throughout his career, Rose wrote music for such television programs as Bonanza, the Red Skelton Show and Little House On The Prairie.  His television work earned him four Emmys.  He had a three-year marriage to singer Martha Raye and later, another three-year marriage to Judy Garland.  Written in 1958, “The Stripper” didn’t become a hit until it was featured in the 1962 film, Gypsy.  Instantly recognizable song eventually became synonomous with the art of stripping.  David Rose passed away at the age of 80.

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David Rose