Synopses & Reviews
Nelson Riddle will forever be linked with the music and recordings of such unforgettable vocalists as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and dozens of others. Riddle not only helped to establish Nat "King" Coles career in the 1950s, but was also a major participant in reviving Frank Sinatra's musical career. He served as arranger for many of Sinatra's albums, as well as musical director for many of the singer's television specials and feature films. Later, this renowned arranger was active in writing the scores for such television shows and feature films as
Route 66,
The Untouchables,
Robin and the Seven Hoods,
Paint Your Wagon, and
The Great Gatsby, for which he won an Academy Award.
September in the Rain is the first-ever biography of the most highly respected arranger in the history of American popular music. This fascinating book is based on more than 200 personal interviews with Riddle's closest friends, family, and colleagues. Readers will receive an inside look at his inspirations, his work, and his creative genius...how he revived his own career after the abrupt change in popular music during the '70s...and the story of his brilliant association with singer Linda Ronstadt, which resulted in three gold and platinum albums, sold a grand total of 6.1 million records, and earned him one of his three Grammy awards.
For readers who are fans of such great stars as Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, and Judy Garland, September in the Rain provides an exclusive, inside look at the creative genius who helped build these singers into musical legends.
About the Author
Peter J. Levinson is the author of Trumpet Blues: The Life of Harry James. He worked for 42 years in the entertainment business as a publicist, freelance writer, booking agent, and personal manager. He lives in Malibu, California.