Songwriter/Producer Don Kirshner 1934-2011 (Host of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-18-2011, 11:47 AM

Songwriter and rock producer Don Kirshner died of heart failure on Monday at the age of 77 in Boca Raton, Fla. Kirshner wrote "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and managed songwriting talent including Neil Sedaka, Carole King, Howard Greenfield and many others, providing songs for The Monkees' TV program in the 1960's, including "I'm a Believer."

Kirshner's first major success story was the career of fellow Bronx High School of Science alumni Bobby Darin, which Kirshner helped to launch in the 1950's.

Along with partner Al Nevins, Kirshner founded Aldon music and helped to shape the role of the Brill Building - an office building just north of Times Square where some of the biggest hits of the 50's and 60's were written. Aldon was instrumental in the early careers of Sedaka, King, and the Righteous Brothers. By 1962, Aldon had hundreds of hits on the radio penned by a team of 18 writers, the oldest of whom was 26.

Kirshner founded Chairman Records, Calendar/Kirshner Recordings, and Dimension Records, notable for its release of "The Locomotion."

Over the course of his career, Kirshner became known as "The Man With the Golden Ear" for his ability to spot a hit; sales of Monkees records dropped sharply after the band parted ways with Kirshner.

Post-Monkees, Kirshner developed "The Archies," an animated series based on the cartoon characters, whose musical talents were provided by studio musicians assembled by Kirshner to perform hits he selected, including "Sugar, Sugar" and "Bang-Shang-A-Lang." He also served as exec producer on ABC's "In Concert" and later created his own syndie show, "Rock Concert" - notable for its all-live-performances lineup after a period of similar shows featuring lipsynched perfs.

Kirshner is survived by Sheila, his wife of 50 years, children Ricky and Daryn and his grandchildren Alexandra, Shelby, Jillian, Matthew and Jaden.

Services for Kirshner are being arranged in Florida. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Don Kirshner Scholarship Fund, which is being established by his family for emerging songwriters (70 West 36 Street, Suite 701, NY NY 10018 - 212.239.0777).

http://www.variety.cm/article/VR1118030420?refCatId=16

catlover79 · 01-18-2011, 02:20 PM

Marvo301 · 01-18-2011, 03:32 PM

Don Kirshner

80sTrivia · 01-18-2011, 03:35 PM

So sad to hear of Don's passing...

MickeyMac · 01-18-2011, 07:01 PM

RIP Don

but I have to say this

I so hate everything about the Archies (the comic book, the cartoon, and that godawful song "Sugar Sugar", that would get my vote as one of the worst records ever made.).

catlover79 · 01-18-2011, 08:03 PM

I thought Don also created The Midnight Special, but I guess I'm wrong. Who did?

Zoneboy · 01-18-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I thought Don also created The Midnight Special, but I guess I'm wrong. Who did?

Burt Sugarman

catlover79 · 01-18-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Burt Sugarman

That's right, Charles - thanks!! I blanked out on his name.

ABlairican Pie · 01-19-2011, 03:13 AM

Don Kirshner had a geeky voice that was often mimicked by many on Saturday Night Live and elsewhere as I recall, but I loved watching his 'Rock Concert' shows late night on Saturday nights back in the late 70's and early 80's. Some of the coolest episodes were when he had Black Sabbath on in 1976 and in 1980.

Riley Martin · 01-19-2011, 10:25 PM

I keep wondering when they will release "Rock Concert" on DVD like Midnight Special.

Ohio8 · 01-19-2011, 11:35 PM

MickeyMac · 01-20-2011, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riley Martin

I keep wondering when they will release "Rock Concert" on DVD like Midnight Special.

They are probably dealing with copyright issues, and with Kirshner passing and all the rights to the stuff he owned is probably going to be in probate court for the time being.

01-18-2011, 11:47 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	Songwriter/Producer Don Kirshner 1934-2011 (Host of Don Kirshner's Rock Concert) Songwriter and rock producer Don Kirshner died of heart failure on Monday at the age of 77 in Boca Raton, Fla. Kirshner wrote "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and managed songwriting talent including Neil Sedaka, Carole King, Howard Greenfield and many others, providing songs for The Monkees' TV program in the 1960's, including "I'm a Believer." Kirshner's first major success story was the career of fellow Bronx High School of Science alumni Bobby Darin, which Kirshner helped to launch in the 1950's. Along with partner Al Nevins, Kirshner founded Aldon music and helped to shape the role of the Brill Building - an office building just north of Times Square where some of the biggest hits of the 50's and 60's were written. Aldon was instrumental in the early careers of Sedaka, King, and the Righteous Brothers. By 1962, Aldon had hundreds of hits on the radio penned by a team of 18 writers, the oldest of whom was 26. Kirshner founded Chairman Records, Calendar/Kirshner Recordings, and Dimension Records, notable for its release of "The Locomotion." Over the course of his career, Kirshner became known as "The Man With the Golden Ear" for his ability to spot a hit; sales of Monkees records dropped sharply after the band parted ways with Kirshner. Post-Monkees, Kirshner developed "The Archies," an animated series based on the cartoon characters, whose musical talents were provided by studio musicians assembled by Kirshner to perform hits he selected, including "Sugar, Sugar" and "Bang-Shang-A-Lang." He also served as exec producer on ABC's "In Concert" and later created his own syndie show, "Rock Concert" - notable for its all-live-performances lineup after a period of similar shows featuring lipsynched perfs. Kirshner is survived by Sheila, his wife of 50 years, children Ricky and Daryn and his grandchildren Alexandra, Shelby, Jillian, Matthew and Jaden. Services for Kirshner are being arranged in Florida. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Don Kirshner Scholarship Fund, which is being established by his family for emerging songwriters (70 West 36 Street, Suite 701, NY NY 10018 - 212.239.0777). http://www.variety.cm/article/VR1118030420?refCatId=16
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01-18-2011, 02:20 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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01-18-2011, 03:32 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Don Kirshner
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01-18-2011, 03:35 PM	#4
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	So sad to hear of Don's passing...
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01-19-2011, 03:13 AM	#9
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	Don Kirshner had a geeky voice that was often mimicked by many on Saturday Night Live and elsewhere as I recall, but I loved watching his 'Rock Concert' shows late night on Saturday nights back in the late 70's and early 80's. Some of the coolest episodes were when he had Black Sabbath on in 1976 and in 1980.
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01-18-2011, 07:01 PM	#5
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	RIP Don but I have to say this I so hate everything about the Archies (the comic book, the cartoon, and that godawful song "Sugar Sugar", that would get my vote as one of the worst records ever made.).

01-18-2011, 08:03 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I thought Don also created The Midnight Special, but I guess I'm wrong. Who did?

01-19-2011, 10:25 PM	#10
Riley Martin Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 09, 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 471	I keep wondering when they will release "Rock Concert" on DVD like Midnight Special.

01-19-2011, 11:35 PM	#11
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,912	Attached Images