7:15 a.m. - Big Band Musician Neal Hefti Dies at 85
By: RNS
Updated: October 15, 2008
Big band musician and composer Neal Hefti has died, leaving a legacy of memorable music. Born in poverty in Oklahoma in 1922, Hefti started playing trumpet at age eleven and went on to write music and perform in the Count Basie and Woody Herman big bands.
After the big band era ended in the 1950s, Hefti rose to popularity composing movie and television themes and scores.
His theme for the original TV series "Batman" was a radio hit in the '60s as was his song "Girl Talk," which he composed for the film "Harlow," about the life of 1930s "Blond Bombshell" movie star Jean Harlow.
Hefti worked with a host of musical luminaries, including Frank Sinatra. He also composed the familiar theme for the '70s television show "The Odd Couple."
Hefti's son Paul told the "Los Angeles Times" his father died over the weekend at the age of 85 of unknown causes.
He said his dad had been in good health. Hefti died at his home in Toluca Lake, California.
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