Brill Building

Susan Aberbach is the president of the music publishing company, Hill & Range, which was formed by her husband and his brother. The two brothers wanted to publish country music and went to Nashville in the early 1950s representing a new company named to conjure up thoughts of country music.  In the early days of the publishing firm, they signed many well known stars and a few up and coming artists, one by the name of Elvis Presley.  After Susan's husband's passing, she took over the role as president and continues to run the company today.

Bugs Bower was one of the great characters of music publishing that helped re-direct the industry following World War II. Before and during the war, Bugs was a musician and arranger who played with dance bands on stage and on radio. After the war he continued arranging and was given a job at the Brill Building in New York, the hub for music publishing. In 1946 he wrote the method book “Bop” published and edited by Charles Colin, which paved the way to countless books over the years including “Christmas & Cartoons” and duet books intended for students and their parents to play

Hal David followed in the footsteps of his older brother Mack, who penned several popular songs in the 1930s and 40s. Hal worked hard to learn the craft and spent many years in and around the Brill Building in New York, which was the hub of music publishing in America at the time.

Morris Diamond sat down with us for his NAMM Oral History interview at the age of 97 and recalled his career in music which started when he was 15 years old. He was hired to be the “band boy” for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra one month after the famous bandleader hired a then unknown singer by the name of Frank Sinatra. Taking care of the instruments and helping with arrangements for the band gained the attention of Mr.

Bobby Feldman wrote three hit songs in the 1960s that are still being played and recorded today. His songwriting began at a desk in the Brill Building in New York City. He formed several singing groups that sang his songs, including the Strangeloves who waxed “I Want Candy.” He also wrote “My Boyfriend's Back” for the Angels, and the McCoy’s biggest hit “Hang On Sloopy,” which was originally an R&B song that Bobby modified with tempo changes and extra verses. Along the way, he formed Grand Canyon Music, a publishing as well as record company. Bobby’s song “Sorrow,” written in

Bernie Kalban was one of the great veterans of the music publishing industry. Having worked in the era right after Tin Pan Alley, in the Brill Building and with many of the top firms, Bernie witnessed many of the most important changes to the music industry during the 20th century. He began working for Mills Music in 1939 and was there until he was drafted for World War II. He rejoined the company in 1946 and stayed until 1950, when he worked with Charlie Hansen for a decade. He returned to Mills Music for six years when he was hired by Edward B. Marks Music Company in 1966. Berni

Johnny Mandel brought his unique talents as a composer and arranger from jazz clubs to the big screen during a brilliant career that spanned over 60 years! As a songwriter, he spent several years in the 1940s and 50s plugging his songs in the Brill Building in New York which was the hotspot for music publishing at the time. He spent years working in Hollywood and for big bands as well as penning popular songs for artists such as Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee.

Ivan Mogull had a special connection with the Brill Building in New York City, the long time hub of music publishing for decades.  Ivan was born the same year the famed building was built and his father, a foot doctor, was the first tenant.  As a boy Ivan ran the halls and got to know many of the other tenants in the Brill Building, including music publishers and musicians.  He recalled meeting Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and Frank Sinatra.  Ivan was hired as a counter boy to assist with the stock of the publishers and grew up in the business.  He created his own firm and helped pro

This audio only interview was conducted for a radio program by Dan Del Fiorentino and donated to the NAMM Oral History program: Patti Page was the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner who broke out from the role as a band singer during the swing era to create a very successful solo career, which paved the way for many other vocalists in the late 1940s and 50s.

Philip Springer utilized his classical piano training to pen hit songs during a long and celebrated career making music. As a result his tunes often incorporated elements of sophistication as well as whimsy. Both of his parents were musical and encouraged young Philip to play the piano. By the age of six he was playing Bach by ear. While serving in the US Army during World War II, Philip became Mickey Rooney’s Musical Director and began writing music to entertain the troops. His songwriting career began to take off when singer Connie Haines recorded “Teasin’” which Philip wrote wi

Eddie Tuduri broke his neck while in the ocean off the California shore in 1997, and turned to music to serve him during the healing process.

Toni Wine can be heard singing the line “I can make your life so sweet” as one of the Archies on the 1969 hit record “Sugar, Sugar.”  As a songwriter she wrote her first song when she was 14 years old and went on to be hired by music publishers to write hit songs such as “A Groovy Kind of Love,” “Candida” and “Black Pearl” among others.  Her sweet voice can also be heard on Tony Orlando’s big hit “Knock Three Times” along with singer Linda November.  Linda and Toni were also recorded together for the long running ad for Meow Mix Cat Food singing “meow, meow, meow, meow.”