Ben Lanzarone, the composer, arranger, musical director and pianist who wrote music for such shows as Dynasty, Happy Days, Mr. Belvedere and The Tracey Ullman Show, has died. He was 85.
Lanzarone died Friday in his Los Angeles home of lung cancer, his family announced.
The Brooklyn native toured with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Mary Travers, Anthony Newley, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan and Mason Williams and for Broadway served as the musical director on the original 1972-1980 production of Grease and arranger on 1972’s Via Galactica and 1975’s Truckload.
His long association with TV producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer resulted in scores for Dynasty, The Colbys, The Love Boat, Vega$, Matt Houston and Hotel.
And for production companies led by Thomas Miller, Edward Milkis and/or Bob Boyett, he came up with music for episodes of Happy Days (including the one in 1977 when Henry Winkler’s...
Lanzarone died Friday in his Los Angeles home of lung cancer, his family announced.
The Brooklyn native toured with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, Mary Travers, Anthony Newley, Petula Clark, Lainie Kazan and Mason Williams and for Broadway served as the musical director on the original 1972-1980 production of Grease and arranger on 1972’s Via Galactica and 1975’s Truckload.
His long association with TV producers Aaron Spelling and Douglas S. Cramer resulted in scores for Dynasty, The Colbys, The Love Boat, Vega$, Matt Houston and Hotel.
And for production companies led by Thomas Miller, Edward Milkis and/or Bob Boyett, he came up with music for episodes of Happy Days (including the one in 1977 when Henry Winkler’s...
- 2/19/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Composer Ben Lanzarone, whose work was featured in television shows such as “Happy Days,” “The Love Boat” and “Dynasty,” died of lung cancer in Los Angeles on Feb. 16. He was 85.
Lanzarone received ASCAP’s “Most Performed Composer Award” for his work composing television scores. He wrote for episodes of “The Tracy Ullman Show,” “The Jay Leno Comedy Hour” and” Mr. Belvedere.” In association with Aaron Spelling and Doug Cramer, he composed many scores for “Dynasty,” “The Love Boat,” “Vegas,” “Matt Houston,” “The Colbys” and “Hotel.” In addition, he wrote the music for numerous episodes of “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley” and “Mork and Mindy.”
Also an arranger, musical director and pianist, Lanzarone became a force in popular music when he began associating with Bob Crewe and Charles Fox. Lanzarone’s album “In Classic Form” came as a result of their collaboration, showing off his talent as a classical and jazz pianist.
Lanzarone received ASCAP’s “Most Performed Composer Award” for his work composing television scores. He wrote for episodes of “The Tracy Ullman Show,” “The Jay Leno Comedy Hour” and” Mr. Belvedere.” In association with Aaron Spelling and Doug Cramer, he composed many scores for “Dynasty,” “The Love Boat,” “Vegas,” “Matt Houston,” “The Colbys” and “Hotel.” In addition, he wrote the music for numerous episodes of “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley” and “Mork and Mindy.”
Also an arranger, musical director and pianist, Lanzarone became a force in popular music when he began associating with Bob Crewe and Charles Fox. Lanzarone’s album “In Classic Form” came as a result of their collaboration, showing off his talent as a classical and jazz pianist.
- 2/19/2024
- by Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
If you glance at the soundtrack listing for “Love & Death,” you’ll basically find a greatest hits collection of bangers from the ’70s. Set from 1978-80, the HBO Max limited series features tunes from Bee Gees, Janis Joplin, Al Green, Dolly Parton and Neil Diamond, to name a few, culled by music supervisor Robin Urdang. “It’s one of my favorite eras,” she tells Gold Derby (watch above). “A lot of the songs were scripted originally because David E. Kelley and Lesli Linka Glatter had in mind songs that they wanted to use. When I read the script and saw that in there, I was like, ‘Oh, my God! This is like my favorite music. I have to do the show.'”
“Love & Death” dramatizes the real-life case of Candy Montgomery (Elizabeth Olsen), a Texas housewife who had an affair with the husband, Allan Gore (Jesse Plemons), of her friend,...
“Love & Death” dramatizes the real-life case of Candy Montgomery (Elizabeth Olsen), a Texas housewife who had an affair with the husband, Allan Gore (Jesse Plemons), of her friend,...
- 5/12/2023
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Pairing wine with movies! See the trailers and hear the fascinating commentary for these movies and many more at Trailers From Hell. What else are you doing while stuck at home?
If you don’t like the humor in the 1966 comedy Don’t Worry We’ll Think of a Title, you don’t have enough borscht under your belt. Morey Amsterdam co-wrote it and starred in it, so you might expect it to be 83 minutes of zingers aimed at Richard Deacon’s invisible hairline. There is a plot, but character names like Charlie Yuckapuck and Crumworth Raines may actually overshadow the storyline.
It is probably on this list of movies you’ve never heard of because trying to find this movie’s online streaming home is enough to drive a pandemic shut-in to drink. As long as we’re celebrating – or whatever – uncork a bottle from the Catskills. Tannerville’s...
If you don’t like the humor in the 1966 comedy Don’t Worry We’ll Think of a Title, you don’t have enough borscht under your belt. Morey Amsterdam co-wrote it and starred in it, so you might expect it to be 83 minutes of zingers aimed at Richard Deacon’s invisible hairline. There is a plot, but character names like Charlie Yuckapuck and Crumworth Raines may actually overshadow the storyline.
It is probably on this list of movies you’ve never heard of because trying to find this movie’s online streaming home is enough to drive a pandemic shut-in to drink. As long as we’re celebrating – or whatever – uncork a bottle from the Catskills. Tannerville’s...
- 4/25/2020
- by Randy Fuller
- Trailers from Hell
The revival of “American Idol” on ABC is following the same format as did on Fox for 15 seasons. On the April 2 episode, host Ryan Seacrest will reveal the Top 24 contestants, who will then fight it out over four episodes for a place in the live shows that start on April 22. These two dozen hopefuls were culled from the Top 50 that were revealed on the April 1 episode. To cut this number by more than half, the three judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie — had the contestants sing again.
The Top 50, which was made up of 26 men and 24 women, took to the stage at the Exchange club in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 8. If you can’t wait till Monday night to learn the results, scroll down to see the names of the 12 men and 12 women that made it through to the Top 24 as well as the songs they sung...
The Top 50, which was made up of 26 men and 24 women, took to the stage at the Exchange club in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 8. If you can’t wait till Monday night to learn the results, scroll down to see the names of the 12 men and 12 women that made it through to the Top 24 as well as the songs they sung...
- 4/2/2018
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
After a two-year break “American Idol” is back for season 16. This time around the reality competition series may air on ABC but it is following the same format as the 15 seasons that ruled the ratings on Fox. While Ryan Seacrest is back as host, the three judges are new: pop princess Katy Perry, country superstar Luke Bryan and Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Lionel Richie
They gave a whopping 169 contestants tickets to Hollywood at their auditions, which were spread out over five cities: New York, NY, New Orleans, La, Nashville, Tn, Savannah, Ga and Los Angeles, CA. Appropriately enough, these try-outs aired over the first five episodes of the season. The hopefuls were winnowed down to just 50 in three rounds as they sung in lines of 10, groups, and solos. The first of these Hollywood Week episodes aired on March 26 and April 1.
The Top 50 then gathered at Exchange in downtown Los Angeles on Feb.
They gave a whopping 169 contestants tickets to Hollywood at their auditions, which were spread out over five cities: New York, NY, New Orleans, La, Nashville, Tn, Savannah, Ga and Los Angeles, CA. Appropriately enough, these try-outs aired over the first five episodes of the season. The hopefuls were winnowed down to just 50 in three rounds as they sung in lines of 10, groups, and solos. The first of these Hollywood Week episodes aired on March 26 and April 1.
The Top 50 then gathered at Exchange in downtown Los Angeles on Feb.
- 4/1/2018
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Movie Week is over - and so is Jennifer Gibney's time in the competition - but the show must go on with Strictly Come Dancing.
There's no rest for the celebs, who are straight into training for their next tricky routines. But what are they dancing, and which songs are they getting? Read on for all the details...
Alison Hammond & Aljaz Skorjanec
Dance: Samba
Song: 'Bootylicious' - Destiny's Child
Caroline Flack & Pasha Kovalev
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'We Go Together' from Grease
Frankie Bridge & Kevin Clifton
Dance: Cha Cha
Song: 'Call Me Maybe' - Carly Rae Jepsen
Jake Wood & Janette Manrara
Dance: Jive
Song: 'All Shook Up' - Elvis Presley
Judy Murray & Anton du Beke
Dance: Tango
Song: 'Jealousy' - Billy Fury
Mark Wright & Karen Hauer
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'Tiger Feet' - Mud
Pixie Lott & Trent Whiddon
Dance: Rumba
Song: 'Stay With Me' - Sam Smith
Scott Mills...
There's no rest for the celebs, who are straight into training for their next tricky routines. But what are they dancing, and which songs are they getting? Read on for all the details...
Alison Hammond & Aljaz Skorjanec
Dance: Samba
Song: 'Bootylicious' - Destiny's Child
Caroline Flack & Pasha Kovalev
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'We Go Together' from Grease
Frankie Bridge & Kevin Clifton
Dance: Cha Cha
Song: 'Call Me Maybe' - Carly Rae Jepsen
Jake Wood & Janette Manrara
Dance: Jive
Song: 'All Shook Up' - Elvis Presley
Judy Murray & Anton du Beke
Dance: Tango
Song: 'Jealousy' - Billy Fury
Mark Wright & Karen Hauer
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'Tiger Feet' - Mud
Pixie Lott & Trent Whiddon
Dance: Rumba
Song: 'Stay With Me' - Sam Smith
Scott Mills...
- 10/15/2014
- Digital Spy
Microsoft have announced that the latest installment of the best-selling dance franchise on Kinect for Xbox 360, Dance Central 3, will be available in stores on October 16th in the U.S., Canada and Latin America and October 19th in Europe, Asia and Australia. The company have also unveiled 11 additional songs for the soundtrack, each with authentic dance routines created by professional choreographers, including:
2NE1 – “I Am The Best (Original Version)” Alice Deejay – “Better Off Alone” Backstreet Boys – “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” J.J. Fad – “Supersonic” Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft. Ying Yang Twins – “Get Low” Lmfao – “Sexy And I Know It” Los Del Rio – “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera – “Moves Like Jagger” Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby” Vicki Sue Robinson – “Turn The Beat Around” Village People – “Y.M.C.A.”
These 11 tracks are on top of the previously announced music by Usher, 50 Cent, Cobra Starship and more.
2NE1 – “I Am The Best (Original Version)” Alice Deejay – “Better Off Alone” Backstreet Boys – “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” J.J. Fad – “Supersonic” Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft. Ying Yang Twins – “Get Low” Lmfao – “Sexy And I Know It” Los Del Rio – “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera – “Moves Like Jagger” Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby” Vicki Sue Robinson – “Turn The Beat Around” Village People – “Y.M.C.A.”
These 11 tracks are on top of the previously announced music by Usher, 50 Cent, Cobra Starship and more.
- 8/8/2012
- by Kat
- Nerdly
Dance Central 3, the latest in Harmonix and Microsoft’s hit dance game series for the Kinect, was originally announced back at E3 without a firm release date. Now, Microsoft has announced the specific days that various regions will receive the game.
In the United States, Canada and Latin America, Dance Central 3 will be released on October 16, while in Europe, Asia and Australia, it will be released on October 19. New features will include team-based multiplayer capable of supporting up to eight players, as well as a new story mode involving players traveling through time to learn classic dance moves from their favorite characters.
Microsoft also revealed 11 additional songs that will be available as part of the game’s track list:
2NE1 – “I Am The Best (Original Version) Alice Deejay – “Better Off Alone” Backstreet Boys – “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) J.J. Fad – “Supersonic” Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft. Ying Yang Twins...
In the United States, Canada and Latin America, Dance Central 3 will be released on October 16, while in Europe, Asia and Australia, it will be released on October 19. New features will include team-based multiplayer capable of supporting up to eight players, as well as a new story mode involving players traveling through time to learn classic dance moves from their favorite characters.
Microsoft also revealed 11 additional songs that will be available as part of the game’s track list:
2NE1 – “I Am The Best (Original Version) Alice Deejay – “Better Off Alone” Backstreet Boys – “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) J.J. Fad – “Supersonic” Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft. Ying Yang Twins...
- 7/23/2012
- by John Fleury
- We Got This Covered
Jessica Sanchez has topped Digital Spy's American Idol poll for a second week running. During this week's Top 11 episode, Sanchez performed a version of Vicki Sue Robinson's 'Turn the Beat Around'. She received 20.8% of reader votes. Hollie Cavanagh climbed up a spot from last week to just finish second for her cover of Jennifer Rush's 'The Power of Love', taking in 17.9%, while Joshua Ledet's version of Percy Sledge's soul classic 'When a Man Loves a Woman' saw him finish in the top three with 16.6%. However, DeAndre Brackensick's (more)...
- 3/15/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Wednesday’s installment of American Idol was supposed to focus on Songs From the Year the Contestants Were Born, but in some cases, it felt more like Opposites Day: Steven Tyler woke up from a very long nap and started doling out crotchety critiques. Jennifer Lopez tried to give songwriting lessons (¡ay dios mio!) to Bonnie Raitt. And more than half of this week’s contestants picked songs that were not intially released in the years of their birth. Why the face?
In other news, Ryan Seacrest tried to make a pun about dreadlocks, while failing to recognize that’s...
In other news, Ryan Seacrest tried to make a pun about dreadlocks, while failing to recognize that’s...
- 3/15/2012
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
I sure hope everyone enjoyed “Oldies That Happened to Be Covered in the Year the Season 11 Finalists Were Born” Night on American Idol! Yes indeed, more than half of this week’s selected songs made their way into the world long before the finalists who covered ‘em.
But who’s counting? Not Uncle Nigel! Then again, in our executive producer’s defense, he was tied up with the process of disqualifying Jermaine Jones from the competition for not disclosing that there were (allegedly) four active warrants out for his arrest. Ryan Seacrest waited more than halfway through the evening to...
But who’s counting? Not Uncle Nigel! Then again, in our executive producer’s defense, he was tied up with the process of disqualifying Jermaine Jones from the competition for not disclosing that there were (allegedly) four active warrants out for his arrest. Ryan Seacrest waited more than halfway through the evening to...
- 3/15/2012
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
By Josef Adalian
It's tragic what happens to TV stars when the spotlight fades. Just ask Megan Mullally.
The very funny, very Emmy-nominated former star of "Will & Grace" has apparently decided that spending the rest of her life as "fondly remembered star of semi-iconic NBC sitcom" just isn't good enough. Instead, she's chosen to go down in history as "that lady from 'Will & Grace' who sings in a cheesy commercial for "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter."
Yes, that really is Mullally singing the Vicki Sue Robinson disco classic "Turn the Beat...
It's tragic what happens to TV stars when the spotlight fades. Just ask Megan Mullally.
The very funny, very Emmy-nominated former star of "Will & Grace" has apparently decided that spending the rest of her life as "fondly remembered star of semi-iconic NBC sitcom" just isn't good enough. Instead, she's chosen to go down in history as "that lady from 'Will & Grace' who sings in a cheesy commercial for "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter."
Yes, that really is Mullally singing the Vicki Sue Robinson disco classic "Turn the Beat...
- 2/2/2010
- by Adalian
- The Wrap
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