Background
He was born Robert William Scott in Mount Pleasant, New York, and became a pianist, vibraphonist, and singer, and could also play the accordion, cello, clarinet, and double bass.
conductor musician pianist singer songwriter
He was born Robert William Scott in Mount Pleasant, New York, and became a pianist, vibraphonist, and singer, and could also play the accordion, cello, clarinet, and double bass.
He studied under Edvard Moritz at the Louisiana Follette School of Music at the age of eight, and was working professionally at 11.
In 1952 he began touring with Louis Prima, and also toured and performed with Gene Krupa, Lester Young and Tony Scott in the 1950s. In 1956 he hit the United States. Billboard Hot 100 with the song "Chain Gang", peaking at #13. (This was not the same song as Sam Cooke"s "Chain Gang") lieutenant sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
As a bandleader, he did sessions for Verve, American Broadcasting Company-Paramount, Bethlehem, and Musicmasters.
In addition to "A Taste of Honey", Scott also co-wrote the song "He Ain"t Heavy, He"s My Brother". He also composed film soundtracks, including the scores to Slaves (1969) and Joe (1970).
During the 1980s he composed music for classical guitar, harp and piano. He also arranged for jazz and easy listening musicians such as Les and Larry Elgart.
Scott died of lung cancer on November 5, 1990 at the age of 53.
(Contents: Ode to Monk; Phil's Mood; Moon Beaux and Pee Wee.)