Legendary rock impresario who helped created The Monkees and The Archies, DON KIRSHNER dead at 76.
Kisrhner, the Bronx bred R’n’R promoter died at his home in Boca Raton, Florida from heart failure.
In his long and varied career, "The Man with the Golden Ear" corralled and maintained top artists in one of the most impressive music libraries in music history from his offices in the fabled Brill Building in New York.
Kirshner actually began his career writing commercial jingles with pre-pop star Bobby Darin.
Kirshner’s company, Aldon (co-owned with Al Nevins) published music by songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin ("Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow") Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil ("You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling"), as well as Neil Sedaka and Neil Diamond.
He then assembled the pre-fab four The Monkees for TV with Bob Rafelson and Paul Mazursky.
When Davy Jones, Mickey Dolenz, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith refused to record bubble gum after the success of their first album, Kirshner created a group that never even existed — The Archies based on the popular comic book series. The band, comprised of studio musicians including singer Ron Dante, hit Super Hit Number One with "Sugar Sugar".
In the 1970s, Kirshner hosted a late night music anthology series Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert which banned lip syncing in favor of live performances.
The show featured everyone from Bruce Springsteen to the Rolling Stones to David Bowie and his deadpan delivery was mocked by a then unknown Paul Shaffer on Saturday Night Live.
In 2007 Kirshner was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
His impact on the world of pop music is immeasurable.
POP FYI: The Monkees’ "I’m a Believer" was written by Neil Diamond (for Don Kirshner, natch).
