Ben Weisman

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Ben Weisman (born November 16, 1921, Providence, Rhode Island) is an American composer and pianist.

Weisman was one of Elvis Presley's chief songwriters throughout the 1960s. He co-composed over fifty songs for Elvis' movies and stage performances that proceeded to go gold or platinum, including First in Line, Got a Lot of Living to Do, Follow That Dream, and Wooden Heart. Weisman also wrote songs recorded by Barbra Streisand (Love in the Afternoon), the Beatles (Lend Me Your Comb), Johnny Mathis (When I Am With You) and many others.

Elvis' pet nickname for Weisman was "the mad professor", as his appearance was atypical for a "rock 'n roll guy". Just before Weisman's last meeting with Elvis in 1976, Elvis proudly announced to the crowd that he had recorded more of Weisman's songs than those of any other songwriter. Weisman's most recent musical score was for the 1995 movie Crossroads at Laredo: The Lost Film of Edward D. Wood Jr.

[edit] References

• Interview with Ben Weisman
• "Songwriter Ben Weisman," from the Ben Weisman Songbook
• The New York Times: Movies > Ben Weisman