The SongHall was saddened to learn of the recent passing of former Board Member and friend Margaret Whiting, and 2007 Abe Olman Publisher Awardee for Lifetime Acheivement in the Music Industry Don Kirshner.
Margaret Whiting, whose father was Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Richard Whiting, was a celebrated singer and performer for television, film, cabaret and Broadway, and popularized such classics as “That Old Black Magic,” “It Might As Well Be Spring” and “Moonlight In Vermont.” Her duet with Johnny Mercer (with whom she began working at the tender age of seven) on “Baby It’s Cold Outside” continues to be heard every holiday season. And as recently as 2009, her 1947 recording of “Time After Time” was heard in the film “Julie & Julia.”
Counting SongHall founder Johnny Mercer as a mentor, she became involved in the early years of the Songwriters Hall of Fame as a Board Member, and had remained president of the Johnny Mercer Foundation until her passing.
Don Kirshner had the unique distinction of being the first-ever recipient of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Abe Olman Publisher Award for Lifetime Acheivement in the Music Industry. The Hall of Fame expanded the award to honor the lifetime achievements in the music industry of the legendary Kirshner, who was named by Time magazine “The Man with the Golden Ear.” Robin Leach, host of “Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous” called him “The Supreme Starmaker” and “The Father of Rock and Roll.” The Los Angeles Times headlined him as “Mr. Music,” as well as being known in the entertainment world as “The Ed Sullivan of Rock.” He was the only American under the ATV-Kirshner Corporation, to control the North American Publishing Rights to the Lennon-McCartney catalogue including “Michelle,” “Yesterday” and “Hey Jude,” as well as John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Kirshner’s name has also appeared on most of The Beatles songs. An enormously successful and creative publisher, Don Kirshner acquired author Alan Jay Lerner’s interest in “My Fair Lady,” “Camelot,” “Gigi,” “Brigadoon,” “Paint Your Wagon” and “On A Clear Day.”
“He was a seminal figure in the modern music business,” said SHOF Chairman Emeritus Hal David in 2007, “and his songwriting stable has been responsible for scores of classic hit songs over the years, and up to the present day. Because of the extraordinary scope of his accomplishments, we will honor him both as a publisher and music industry legend by combining elements of the Abe Olman Publisher and the Lifetime Achievement Awards.”
Veteran writer Jim Bessman has composed a feature article with more about Don Kirshner here: http://www.examiner.com/local-music-in-new-york/don-kirshner-an-appreciation