Meredith Willson

Full biography Meredith Willson

Meredith Willson was an American composer , lyricist, conductor, playwright, and flutist who was born on May 18, 1902, in Mason City, Iowa. Throughout his career, which spanned from 1921 to 1982, he was known for creating a variety of works across multiple genres. Willson was particularly well-known for his Broadway musicals, including "The Music Man," "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," and "Here's Love." He also wrote a number of popular songs that have become standards, including "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas," "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You," and "Till There Was You."

Willson began his career as a flutist and worked as a radio announcer and bandleader before transitioning to writing music and lyrics in the 1940s. He made his Broadway debut in 1957 with "The Music Man," which went on to win five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was later adapted into a successful film. Willson continued to write music for a variety of productions throughout the 1960s and 1970s, but "The Music Man" remained his most successful work.

Outside of his musical career, Willson was also a published author and wrote a memoir titled "But He Doesn't Know the Territory," which chronicled his experiences bringing "The Music Man" to Broadway. In addition, he was a founding member of ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and received a number of honors for his contributions to the musical world, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Meredith Willson passed away on June 15, 1984, in Santa Monica, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of America's most celebrated composers and lyricists. His compositions continue to be performed and enjoyed by audiences across the country, and his impact on American music and theater cannot be overstated.