Milton DeLugg
Encyclopedia
Milton DeLugg is an American
composer
and arranger
.
musicals and occasional movies (like 1949's Jolson Sings Again
). He quickly became a successful arranger and composer. His clients ranged from the American Junior Miss Pageant to Jackie Wilson
, and he was a musician on such radio programs as The Abe Burrows
Show. One of his best-known tunes is an arrangement of the song "The Happy Wanderer
", and his brassy polka "Hoop Dee Doo" became a game-show staple. He is also the composer of "Hooray for Santy Claus", the catchy theme song for the low-budget motion picture Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
. He also composed "Roller Coaster" - recorded by Henri Rene Orchestra on RCA Victor. It was used as the closing theme for the popular Goodson-Todman panel show "What's My Line?" from the early 1950s until its cancellation in 1967.
In 1950 and 1951, DeLugg was musical director, bandleader, and accordionist on Broadway Open House
an NBC
late-night television program which has been considered a forerunner to The Tonight Show
. He often played a song he co-wrote, titled, "Orange Colored Sky
", which was best remembered as a hit for Nat King Cole
. In 1950, DeLugg was also orchestra conductor for the short-lived Abe Burrows' Almanac
.
In 1953, he played accordion leading the Milton DeLugg Trio on the short-lived Bill Cullen
Show.http://userdata.acd.net/ottinger/cullen/shows/billshow.html
In 1957, DeLugg joined the cast of the Paul Winchell
and Jerry Mahoney show.
In 1958, Milton DeLugg produced Buddy Holly
's famous record "Rave On!"
For decades, DeLugg has been associated with NBC
as a musical director. In 1966, he was briefly musical director of the Tonight Show Band during the tenure of Johnny Carson
.
DeLugg enjoyed a long association with Chuck Barris, beginning as arranger of the original theme to The Newlywed Game
in 1966. From 1976 to 1980, he was musical director of The Gong Show
(appearing with his "Band With a Thug"). DeLugg often appeared on the show as a comic foil, in the characters of bad joke teller Naso Literatus and philosopher Old Drool. DeLugg's venerable "Hoop Dee Doo" became a fixture on The Gong Show
, and was used whenever the contest winner was chosen.
DeLugg also wrote the theme music for other Barris projects including The $1.98 Beauty Show, Camouflage (where, in a throwback to an earlier era of game shows, the music was actually performed live by DeLugg and his band), Leave It to The Women, Three's a Crowd
, and The New Treasure Hunt. He also recorded new versions of the theme songs to the 1970s versions of The Dating Game
and The Newlywed Game
, as well as providing the themes for their 1980s revivals. DeLugg and sidemen Mark Stevens, Billy Neale and Ray Neapolitan appeared in Chuck's The Gong Show Movie
(1980) as The Hollywood Cowboys.
DeLugg remains active today as musical director of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
.
Biography
A talented accordionist, he appeared in short SoundiesSoundies
Soundies were an early version of the music video: three-minute musical films, produced in New York City, Chicago, and Hollywood between 1940 and 1946, often including short dance sequences. The completed Soundies were generally released within a few months of their filming; the last group was...
musicals and occasional movies (like 1949's Jolson Sings Again
Jolson Sings Again
Jolson Sings Again is the 1949 film sequel to The Jolson Story, both of which cover the life of singer Al Jolson.-Synopsis:In this follow-up to The Jolson Story, we pick up the singer's career just as he has returned to the stage after a premature retirement. But his wife has left him and the...
). He quickly became a successful arranger and composer. His clients ranged from the American Junior Miss Pageant to Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson
Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singers and performers in R&B and rock history...
, and he was a musician on such radio programs as The Abe Burrows
Abe Burrows
Abe Burrows was a Tony and Pulitzer-winning American humorist, author, and director for radio and the stage.-Early years:...
Show. One of his best-known tunes is an arrangement of the song "The Happy Wanderer
The Happy Wanderer
"The Happy Wanderer" is a popular song by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller written shortly after World War II. It is often mistaken for a German folk song, but it is actually an original composition...
", and his brassy polka "Hoop Dee Doo" became a game-show staple. He is also the composer of "Hooray for Santy Claus", the catchy theme song for the low-budget motion picture Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is a 1964 science fiction film that regularly appears on lists of the worst films ever made. It is regularly featured in the "bottom 100" list on the Internet Movie Database, and was also featured in an episode of the 1986 syndicated series, the Canned Film...
. He also composed "Roller Coaster" - recorded by Henri Rene Orchestra on RCA Victor. It was used as the closing theme for the popular Goodson-Todman panel show "What's My Line?" from the early 1950s until its cancellation in 1967.
In 1950 and 1951, DeLugg was musical director, bandleader, and accordionist on Broadway Open House
Broadway Open House
Broadway Open House, network television's first late-night comedy-variety series, was telecast live on NBC from May 29, 1950 to August 24, 1951, airing weeknights from 11pm to midnight...
an NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
late-night television program which has been considered a forerunner to The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
. He often played a song he co-wrote, titled, "Orange Colored Sky
Orange Colored Sky
"Orange Colored Sky" is a popular song, written by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein and published in 1950.The best-known version of the song was recorded by Nat King Cole , but a number of other singers have recorded it, including Cole's daughter, Natalie.The recording by Nat King Cole was recorded...
", which was best remembered as a hit for Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
. In 1950, DeLugg was also orchestra conductor for the short-lived Abe Burrows' Almanac
Abe Burrows' Almanac
Abe Burrows' Almanac is an American television series that aired on CBS in 1950. The live program, hosted by Abe Burrows, featured music, song and comedy performances by guests. The show was broadcast on Wednesday evenings at 9:00 PM...
.
In 1953, he played accordion leading the Milton DeLugg Trio on the short-lived Bill Cullen
Bill Cullen
William Lawrence Francis "Bill" Cullen was an American radio and television personality whose career spanned five decades...
Show.http://userdata.acd.net/ottinger/cullen/shows/billshow.html
In 1957, DeLugg joined the cast of the Paul Winchell
Paul Winchell
Paul Winchell was an American ventriloquist, voice actor and comedian, whose career flourished in the 1950s and 1960s...
and Jerry Mahoney show.
In 1958, Milton DeLugg produced Buddy Holly
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley , known professionally as Buddy Holly, was an American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of rock and roll...
's famous record "Rave On!"
For decades, DeLugg has been associated with NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
as a musical director. In 1966, he was briefly musical director of the Tonight Show Band during the tenure of Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
.
DeLugg enjoyed a long association with Chuck Barris, beginning as arranger of the original theme to The Newlywed Game
The Newlywed Game
The Newlywed Game is an American television game show that pits newly married couples against each other in a series of revealing question rounds to determine how well the spouses know each other. The program, originally created by Nick Nicholson and E. Roger Muir The Newlywed Game is an American...
in 1966. From 1976 to 1980, he was musical director of The Gong Show
The Gong Show
The Gong Show is an amateur talent contest franchised by Sony Pictures Television to many countries. It was broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule from June 14, 1976 through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication from 1976–1980 and 1988–1989. The show was produced by Chuck Barris, who also served...
(appearing with his "Band With a Thug"). DeLugg often appeared on the show as a comic foil, in the characters of bad joke teller Naso Literatus and philosopher Old Drool. DeLugg's venerable "Hoop Dee Doo" became a fixture on The Gong Show
The Gong Show
The Gong Show is an amateur talent contest franchised by Sony Pictures Television to many countries. It was broadcast on NBC's daytime schedule from June 14, 1976 through July 21, 1978, and in first-run syndication from 1976–1980 and 1988–1989. The show was produced by Chuck Barris, who also served...
, and was used whenever the contest winner was chosen.
DeLugg also wrote the theme music for other Barris projects including The $1.98 Beauty Show, Camouflage (where, in a throwback to an earlier era of game shows, the music was actually performed live by DeLugg and his band), Leave It to The Women, Three's a Crowd
Three's a Crowd
Three's a Crowd is an American television sitcom spinoff of Three's Company...
, and The New Treasure Hunt. He also recorded new versions of the theme songs to the 1970s versions of The Dating Game
The Dating Game
The Dating Game is an ABC television show that first aired on December 20, 1965 and was the first of many shows created and packaged by Chuck Barris from the 1960s through the 1980s...
and The Newlywed Game
The Newlywed Game
The Newlywed Game is an American television game show that pits newly married couples against each other in a series of revealing question rounds to determine how well the spouses know each other. The program, originally created by Nick Nicholson and E. Roger Muir The Newlywed Game is an American...
, as well as providing the themes for their 1980s revivals. DeLugg and sidemen Mark Stevens, Billy Neale and Ray Neapolitan appeared in Chuck's The Gong Show Movie
The Gong Show Movie
The Gong Show Movie is a 1980 film that shows how Chuck Barris lives through a week of being the host and creator of The Gong Show, through a series of outrageous competitors, stressful situations, a nervous breakdown and other comic hijinks in his life and work on the TV show...
(1980) as The Hollywood Cowboys.
DeLugg remains active today as musical director of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, often shortened to Macy's Day Parade, is an annual parade presented by Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, and four years younger than...
.