Don Robertson (songwriter)
Donald Irwin Robertson (December 5, 1922 – March 16, 2015) was an American songwriter and pianist, mostly in the country and popular music genres. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972. As a performer, he hit the US Top 10 with "The Happy Whistler" in 1956 (peaking at No. 6). The track reached No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart the same year.[1] It sold more than one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[2]
Don Robertson | |
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.png.webp) Robertson in 1966 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Donald Irwin Robertson |
| Born | December 5, 1922 Beijing, China |
| Died | March 16, 2015 (aged 92) California, United States |
| Genres | Country music, pop music |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, musician |
| Instrument(s) | Piano |
| Labels | Capitol Records |
Although contracted to Capitol at the time of his biggest selling hit single, Robertson subsequently signed a recording contract with RCA Victor. He composed or co-composed with Hal Blair (né Harold Keller Brown; 1915–2001), many hits for other musicians, including Elvis Presley, who recorded more than a dozen of Robertson's songs, five of which appeared in Presley's numerous films.[2] He is also the inventor of the "slip note" piano style made famous by Floyd Cramer. Having resided in Lake Sherwood, California for 55 years, he died in 2015.[3]
Best known published songs
- "Anything That's Part of You" (performed by Elvis Presley)
- "Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger" (with Doris Clement and John Crutchfield)
- "Born to Be with You" (performed by The Chordettes)
- "Hummingbird" (performed by Les Paul and Mary Ford and Frankie Laine)
- "I Can't Seem To Say Goodbye" (performed by Jerry Lee Lewis, Jean Shepard, Hawkshaw Hawkins)
- "I Don't Hurt Anymore" (with Walter E. Rollins), (performed by Hank Snow, Jerry Lee Lewis)
- "I Let Her Go" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Frankie Laine)
- "I Love You More and More Every Day" (performed by Al Martino)
- "I Met Her Today" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Elvis Presley)
- "I'm Counting On You" (performed by Elvis Presley)
- "I Really Don't Want to Know" (with Howard Barnes), (performed by Les Paul and Mary Ford, Tommy Edwards, and Elvis Presley)
- "Love Me Tonight" (performed by Elvis Presley)
- "Ninety Miles an Hour (Down a Dead End Street)" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Hank Snow)
- "No More" (based on the song "La Paloma", co-written with Hal Blair, (performed by Elvis Presley)
- "Not One Minute More" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Della Reese)
- "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Hank Locklin)
- "Ringo" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Lorne Greene)
- "Stand In" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Don Robertson himself and Jim Reeves)
- "Starting Today" (performed by Elvis Presley)
- "There's Always Me" (performed by Elvis Presley and Jim Reeves)
- "They Remind Me Too Much of You" (performed by Elvis Presley)
- "What Now, What Next, Where To (with Hal Blair), (performed by Elvis Presley)
- "You're Free to Go" (with Lou Herscher) (performed by Carl Smith)
Legacy
Notably, Robertson lent his piano-playing skills to the Disney theme park attraction Country Bear Jamboree. His instrumental song "Pianjo" is played by the audio-animatronic bear, Gomer as the attraction’s opening number.
References
- Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 465. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 86. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- "Don Robertson Obituary: View Don Robertson's Obituary by Ventura County Star". Legacy.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
External links
- Don Robertson site
- Nashville Songwriters' Foundation Biography of Don Robertson
- Obituary