Obit: Neal Hefti at 85...composed themes for "Batman" & "The Odd Couple"

[CrankyYankee]

Obit: Neal Hefti at 85...composed themes for "Batman" & "The Odd Couple"

His "Batman" composition was a Top 40 hit, both for Hefti and the Marketts. It also won a Grammy in 1966 for best instrumental theme.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-hefti15-2008oct15,0,3619488.story

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

Re: Obit: Neal Hefti at 85...composed themes for "Batman" & "The Odd Couple"

Sorry to learn of this. I enjoyed his music.

 

[dmargalotti]

Re: Obit: Neal Hefti at 85...composed themes for "Batman" & "The Odd Couple"

Neil Hefti was a brilliant arranger who did a lot of great work with Count Basie. When Frank Sinatra formed his own record label (Reprise), he recorded an album with Basie...it was the first time they worked together. Neil Hefti was the arranger and the whole album really was swinging with that big brass sound. When it came time to label the album, Neal wanted his name to appear as large as Basie and Sinatra. When he was told his name would appear on the album cover, but smaller...he said, if it's not going to be as large you might as well leave it off. And so if you see a copy of the album Sinatra-Basie: A Musical First, you will not see Neal Hefti's name on the cover. Neal did eventually go on to arrange and conduct for some other Sinatra albums...his work was brilliant. God bless him.

 

[oldschooler1]

Re: Obit: Neal Hefti at 85...composed themes for "Batman" & "The Odd Couple"

And in honor of of Neal Hefti, we should all be aware that "Felix Unger day" is coming up on November 13.