Lee Pockriss

Lee Julian Pockriss (January 20, 1924 – November 14, 2011[1]) was an American songwriter who wrote many well-known popular songs and several scores for films and Broadway shows, mainly during the 1960s and 70s.

Early life and career

Born in Brooklyn and graduating from Erasmus Hall High School, Pockriss's education at Brooklyn College was interrupted by World War II, where he served as a cryptographer for the US Army Air Force.[2] Upon his return he studied English and music at Brooklyn College, and later attended graduate school in musicology at New York University.

With Paul Vance he co-wrote Perry Como's Grammy-nominated "Catch a Falling Star", recorded in 1957; Brian Hyland's "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini", recorded in 1960; and The Cuff Links' "Tracy", recorded in 1969. In 1959, Pockriss and Vance released a single for Columbia records as "Lee and Paul," a novelty tune called "The Chick." With Hal Hackady he co-wrote Billy Thornhill's "The Key," recorded in 1968 on Wand Records.[3] Again with Hal Hackady, he co-wrote the ballad "Kites"', first recorded by the Rooftop Singers though a subsequent recording by Simon Dupree and the Big Sound charted at number 8 in Britain.

He also wrote Anita Bryant's "My Little Corner of the World", recorded in 1960; Shelley Fabares' "Johnny Angel", recorded in 1962; and Clint Holmes' "Playground in My Mind", recorded in 1972.

Broadway and film

With lyricist Anne Croswell he wrote the songs for the Broadway musical Tovarich starring Vivien Leigh, which received a Grammy nomination for Original Cast Album.[2] Pockriss and Croswell also collaborated on the frequently produced Ernest in Love[2] (based on The Importance of Being Earnest) and Bodo. Pockriss also wrote the music for the musicals Wonderful Olly, Dolley Madison, and Divorce Of Course, another collaboration with Hal Hackady.

Pockriss wrote seven original songs for MGM's full-length animated film The Phantom Tollbooth, scored the film The Subject Was Roses and wrote the title songs for One, Two, Three and the Western classic, Stagecoach.

In 1969, Pockriss wrote the unproduced musical "Gatsby" based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel.[2] with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh and book by Hugh Wheeler.[4] UnsungMusicalsCo. Inc. presented its world premiere in concert form as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival in September 2011.[5][6]

Sesame Street

In the 1980s, Pockriss wrote several songs for the children's educational series Sesame Street, including "I'm Between" (sung by Tony), "My Polliwog Ways" (sung by Kermit the Frog), "Transylvania Love Call" (Count von Count), and "My Rock" (Bert).[2]

Death

Pockriss died aged 87, on November 14, 2011, at his home in Connecticut, United States, following a long illness.[2]

References
  1. Lee Pockriss, Songwriter Behind ‘Itsy Bitsy’ Bikini, Dies at 87 in New York Times. November 17, 2011.
  2. "Itsy Bitsy Bikini songwriter Lee Pockriss dies". BBC News. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  3. "Problem Encountered". Musicstack.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-09. Retrieved 2013-04-01.
  4. The New York Times. A Musical Version of ‘Gatsby,’ Four Decades Late by Rachel Lee Harris, September 29, 2011.
  5. The Bob Rogers Show, Radio 2CH, 09:21AEST, 18 November 2011.
  6. GATSBY: THE SONGS IN CONCERT Archived 2011-11-17 at the Wayback Machine New York Musical Theatre Festival. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
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