Harold Wheeler (musician) facts for kids

Harold Wheeler, born on July 14, 1943, is a very talented American musician. He is known for many roles in music, like creating music for shows, leading orchestras, and producing songs. He has won many awards, including a Drama Desk Award in 2003 for his amazing music arrangements in the musical Hairspray.

Harold Wheeler's Music Career

Harold Wheeler started his music career in the 1960s. He became the music director for the famous singer Burt Bacharach. This was a big deal because he was the first African-American music director for a major pop artist. At the same time, he also created music arrangements for other stars like Tony Orlando and Nina Simone.

Leading Music for Big Events

Harold Wheeler has led music for some very important events. He was the Music Conductor for the 76th Academy Awards, which is the show where the Oscar winners are announced. He was only the second African-American conductor in the history of the Academy Awards. He also helped arrange music for the 79th Academy Awards. In 1996, he was one of the conductors for the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Working on Dancing with the Stars

For many years, Harold Wheeler was the music director for the popular TV show Dancing with the Stars. He worked on the show for its first 17 seasons, making sure all the music for the dancers was perfect. In 2014, another talented musician, Ray Chew, took over his role.

Awards and Honors

Harold Wheeler has received special recognition for his long and successful career.

Lifetime Achievement Awards

• In 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP Theatre Awards. This award celebrates people who have made a big difference in theater.
• In 2019, he received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater. The Tony Awards are like the Oscars for Broadway shows, and this award honored his many contributions to theater music.

Harold Wheeler's Personal Life

Harold Wheeler was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He went to Howard University, where he met his wife, the actress Hattie Winston.

Stage Musicals and Shows

Harold Wheeler has worked on many famous stage musicals and shows. He has been a musical director, supervisor, and has created or arranged music for these productions:

• Promises, Promises (1968)
• Coco (1969)
• Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death (1971)
• Two Gentlemen of Verona (1971)
• Don't Play Us Cheap! (1972)
• Love For Love (1974)
• The Wiz (1975)
• Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music (1981)
• Dreamgirls (1981)
• Little Me (1982)
• The Tap Dance Kid (1983)
• The Wiz (1984)
• The Three Musketeers (1984)
• Leader of the Pack (1985)
• Grind (1985)
• Dreamgirls (1987)
• Carrie (1988)
• Tommy Tune Tonite! (1992)
• The Life (1997)
• Side Show (1997)
• Little Me (1998)
• Swing! (1999)
• The Full Monty (2000)
• Hairspray (2002)
• Never Gonna Dance (2003)
• Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005)
• Lennon (2005)
• Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway (2011)
• Side Show (2014)
• Ain't Too Proud (2019)

Music Recordings

Harold Wheeler has also worked on many music recordings, helping to arrange, produce, or play instruments on albums and soundtracks.

• Nina Simone – Here Comes the Sun (1971) – He was the arranger, conductor, and producer.
• Bruce Springsteen – Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J. (1973) – He played piano on two songs: "Blinded By the Light" and "Spirit In The Night".
• Grind (1985) – He helped with additional music arrangements.
• The Harold Wheeler Consort – Black Cream (1975) – He was the producer, arranger, and played piano/keyboards/organ/Moog. He also wrote some of the songs.
• Meco – Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk (1977) – He was the arranger and producer.
• The Wiz (1978) – He worked on the soundtrack for this movie.
• Straight Out of Brooklyn (1991) – He created original music for this film.
• The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) – He created the original music score for this TV series.
• Mississippi Rising (2005) – He was the arranger and conductor for this project.

As a Sideman

Harold Wheeler also played instruments for other musicians, which is called being a "sideman."

• With Bernard Purdie
  • Purdie Good! (1971)
  • Stand by Me (Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get) (1971)

See also

In Spanish: Harold Wheeler para niños