by Robert Wilkinson
Mort Shuman wrote some of the greatest tunes of the 50s and 60s!
Mort Shuman (November 12, 1936 - November 2, 1991) was a Brill Building pianist and songwriter who, in partnership with Doc Pomus, created some amazing songs. Their songs were major hits, and among the many who took their tunes into the top of the charts were Elvis, Dion, Bobby Darin, and Drifters, and many more! Ready for a bunch of blasts from the past? Here’s the songwriting genius of Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman!
From 1959, Dion and the Belmonts lip synching their huge hit,
From the Drifters, three of big ones!
From 1960, fronted by Ben E. King, the magnificent studio version of “This Magic Moment”
Also from 1960, here’s the original studio version of “Save the Last Dance for Me”
From 1961 “Sweets for My Sweet”
From the King of Rock and Roll, the original studio version of the 1961 smash hit
“(Marie’s the Name) of his latest flame
From 1986, here's Elvis Costello and the Attractions in a very rowdy live performance of "(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame"
From 1970, Elvis in a live performance of “Little Sister”
Here’s another great live performance in the studio that really rocks!
Here’s the original studio 1961 version by the King of “Little Sister”
A clip from the 1964 movie of the same name, “Viva Las Vegas”
From 1969, Andy Williams in a live performance of a tune he took to #2 in 1963,
“Can’t Get Used to Losing You”
Also from 1963, the original studio version by Bobby Darin of "Can't Get Used to Losing You."
From 1966, here are the Small Faces in a live performance doing an amazing and highly electric version of Mort Shuman’s “Sha-La-La-La-Lee”
Also from 1966, the Rattles doing “Sha-La-La-La-Lee”
From 1964, here is the original studio version by the Hollies doing “Here I Go Again”
We’ll close this tribute with something from the early 70s, when he lived and composed in France. It's a completely different sound which he made a hit in Europe. Here's Mort's hit song, "(Il Neige Sur) Le Lac Majeur"
RIP Mort. You died way too young at the age of 52 in a London hospital from complications due to a liver operation. Thanks for the tunes of my childhood!
© Copyright 2012 Robert Wilkinson
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