Sid Tepper, prolific songwriter for Elvis Presley and other hitmakers, dies

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Sid Tepper, prolific songwriter for Elvis Presley and other hitmakers, dies

By David Colker April 27

Sid Tepper, who co-wrote more than 40 songs specifically for Elvis Presley and hundreds of others performed by Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Dean Martin, Eartha Kitt, Perry Como, Jeff Beck and many more, died April 24 at his home in Miami Beach. He was 96.

His daughter Jackie announced the death but did not cite a specific cause.

Although Mr. Tepper and his songwriting partner Roy C. Bennett wrote extensively for Presley, they never met him. All their songs for him were for his movies, including the title number for “G.I. Blues” (1960) and “The Lady Loves Me,” sung as a poolside duet with Ann-Margret in “Viva Las Vegas” (1964).

By the time they wrote for Presley, Mr. Tepper and Bennett (who also wrote under the name Roy Brodsky) were already established songwriters. Their first big hit, “Red Roses for a Blue Lady,” was recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1948. Over the years it was covered by Sinatra (on a radio show), Andy Williams, Paul Anka, Wayne Newton and others, including Vic Dana, who got it back on the best-selling charts in 1965.

I remember Wayne Newton's cover. Let's go with the original. For best results, use RCA Victor needles.

[shenmue]

1. Rest in peace

[blm]

2. Nods to one of the greats.

It was NEVER easy for songwriters who took on the task of writing a song for Elvis.