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Don Robertson (songwriter)

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Don Robertson
Robertson in 1966
Background information
Birth nameDonald Irwin Robertson
Born(1922-12-05)December 5, 1922
Beijing, China
DiedMarch 16, 2015(2015-03-16) (aged 92)
California, United States
GenresCountry music, pop music
Occupation(s)Songwriter, musician
InstrumentPiano
LabelsCapitol Records

Donald Irwin Robertson (December 5, 1922 – March 16, 2015) was an American songwriter and pianist, in country and popular music genres. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972. As a performer, he hit the US Top 10 with "The Happy Whistler" in 1956 (peaking at No. 6). The track reached No. 8 in the UK Singles Chart the same year.[1] It sold more than one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[2]

After contracted to Capitol at the time of his biggest selling hit single, Robertson then signed a recording contract with RCA Victor. He composed and co-composed with Hal Blair (né Harold Keller Brown; 1915–2001, as well as many hits for other musicians, including Elvis Presley, who recorded five of which for Presley's films.[2] Having resided in Lake Sherwood, California for 55 years, he died in 2015.[3]

Best known published songs

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Legacy

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Notably, Robertson also lent his piano-playing skills to Disney theme park attraction Country Bear Jamboree. His instrumental song "Pianjo" is played by the audio-animatronic bear Gomer as the attraction's opening number in the original version of the show.

References

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  1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 465. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ^ a b Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 86. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  3. ^ "Don Robertson Obituary: View Don Robertson's Obituary by Ventura County Star". Legacy.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
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