Don Kirshner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Kirshner
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Kirshner in 1974
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| Born |
Donald Kirshner
April 17, 1934 New York, New York, U.S.
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| Died | January 17, 2011 (aged 76) Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
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| Resting place | Temple Beth El Mausoleum, Boca Raton, Florida, U.S |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Upsala College |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1950s–2011 |
| Known for | Don Kirshner's Rock Concert |
| Spouse(s) |
Sheila Grod Kirshner
(m. 1959) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Gilbert Kirshner Belle Jaffe |
Donald Kirshner (April 17, 1934 – January 17, 2011) was an American music publisher, record producer, and talent manager. He was known for finding and helping many famous musicians. Time magazine called him "the Man with the Golden Ear."
Kirshner helped create successful pop groups like the Monkees, Kansas, and the Archies. He had a special talent for finding great songwriters and turning their music into hits.
Contents
Early Life and First Successes
Don Kirshner was born in the Bronx, New York City, in 1934. His father was a tailor. Don went to George Washington High School and then to Upsala College.
After college, he started working for a small music publishing company. There, he helped create the hit song "Tears on My Pillow" for Little Anthony and the Imperials in 1958. This was just the beginning of his amazing career in music.
Aldon Music: A Songwriting Powerhouse
In the late 1950s, Kirshner started his own music publishing company called Aldon Music with his partner Al Nevins. This company became very important in New York City.
Aldon Music signed many talented songwriters. These included famous names like Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond, Paul Simon, Phil Spector, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil. They wrote many of the biggest pop songs of the 1960s.
Kirshner was also great at finding new singers and songwriters. He helped launch the careers of artists like Bobby Darin and Tony Orlando. He even discovered rock bands like Kansas.
Don Kirshner's Record Labels
Don Kirshner created several record labels. His first was Chairman Records, which had one big hit called "Martian Hop" in 1963.
Later, he started Calendar Records. This label released early hits by the Archies. Calendar Records then changed its name to the Kirshner label. This new label continued to release hits by the Archies and also by the band Kansas.
Music for TV Shows
In the 1960s, Kirshner became very successful in providing music for television. He sold his company, Aldon Music, to Screen Gems-Columbia Music.
The Monkees
In 1966, Kirshner was hired by the producers of The Monkees TV show. His job was to provide catchy songs for the show very quickly.
He used his talented songwriters to create songs that the band could "perform" on TV. This plan worked incredibly well! Songs like "Last Train to Clarksville" and "I'm a Believer" became huge hits.
However, after a year, the Monkees wanted to play their own instruments on the records. They also wanted more control over their music. This led to a disagreement with Kirshner, and he was eventually let go from the show.
The Archies and Other TV Work
After The Monkees, Kirshner worked on the Archies. This was an animated TV series, so there were no real band members to manage. He could use studio musicians to create all the music.
Kirshner also worked as a music consultant for many other TV shows. These included popular shows like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie in the late 1960s.
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert
In 1972, Kirshner started working on a new TV show called In Concert. The next year, he launched his own weekly show, Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.
This show was different because it featured long, live performances by rock bands. Before this, most TV music shows had bands lip-sync their songs. Don Kirshner's Rock Concert showed many of the biggest bands of the 1970s.
Kirshner himself would introduce the bands in his unique, calm voice. The show ran until 1981, the same year MTV started.
Later Career and Legacy
In 2007, Don Kirshner received the Abe Olman Publishing Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He continued to work in music, helping new artists.
Don Kirshner passed away on January 17, 2011, at the age of 76. He left behind his wife, two children, and five grandchildren.
On April 14, 2012, Don Kirshner was honored for his contributions to music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
See also
In Spanish: Don Kirshner para niños
