Author Ben Lanzarone, whose work was included in tv programs such as “Happy Days,” “The Love Boat” and “Dynasty,” passed away of lung cancer in Los Angeles on Feb. 16. He was 85.
Lanzarone got ASCAP's “Most Performed Composer Award” for his work making up tv ratings. He composed for episodes of “The Tracy Ullman Show,” “The Jay Leno Comedy Hour” and” Mr. Belvedere.” In association with Aaron Spelling and Doug Cramer, he made up numerous ratings for “Dynasty,” “The Love Boat,” “Vegas,” “Matt Houston,” “The Colbys” and “Hotel.” In addition, he composed the music for many episodes of “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley” and “Mork and Mindy.”
An arranger, musical director and pianist, Lanzarone ended up being a force in popular music when he started associating with Bob Crewe and Charles Fox. Lanzarone's album “In Classic Form” came as an outcome of their cooperation, flaunting his skill as a classical and jazz pianist. He then organized more of Crewe's productions, that included recordings for Bobby Darin, Vikki Carr and The Bob Crewe Generation. He ended up being the arranger for a series of artists and jobs, such as Peter Nero, Vicki Sue Robinson and the disco group The Brothers, in addition to the soundtrack of the movie “Grease.”
While preserving his profession as a studio pianist, Lanzarone organized and made up numerous jingles, which appeared on well over a thousand commercials, records and soundtracks. This resulted in his choice to the NARAS Board of Governors.
As a musical director and pianist, Lanzarone explored with artists such as Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Mary Travers, Anthony Newley, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan and Mason Williams. He was the musical director of the Broadway initial production of “Grease” and the arranger for Broadway productions of “Via Galactica” and “Truckload.” He acted as musical director and arranger for the off-Broadway program “How to Steal an Election” and the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival's “Midsummer Night's Dream.”
A graduate of New York City's High School of Music and Art and a double Masters Degree graduate from the Manhattan School of Music, Lanzarone began his profession as a classical pianist and took a trip the nation as musician with the Longines Symphonette. He made his solo launching at Carnegie Recital Hall.
Throughout his 46-year marital relationship to starlet and vocalist Ilene Graff, the 2 had an expert relationship that panned phase, screen, live shows and recordings– and led to a Grammy election for their album “Baby's Broadway Lullabies.” The couple likewise taught the popular workshop “Making the Song Your Own” to assist vocalists discover the delight in music and efficiency. With their child, Broadway veteran Nikka Graff Lanzarone, they place on cabaret performances in New York City and Los Angeles.
Lanzarone took part in numerous charitable companies such as The Variety Club, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Entertainment Community Fund.
He is endured by his partner Graff, his child Graff Lanzarone, bros Frank and Peter Lanzarone, brothers-in-law Richard and Todd Graff,
