Meredith Willson Death
Robert passed away on June 15, 1984 at the age of 82 in Santa Monica, California, USA. Robert's cause of death was heart failure.
When did Meredith Willson die?
June 15, 1984How did Meredith Willson die? What was the cause of death?
Heart failureHow old was Meredith Willson when died?
82Where did Meredith Willson die? What was the location of death?
Santa Monica, California, USA
Meredith Willson Birthday and Date of Death
Meredith Willson was born on May 18, 1902 and died on June 15, 1984. Robert was 82 years old at the time of death.
Birthday: May 18, 1902
Date of Death: June 15, 1984
Age at Death: 82
Is Meredith Willson's father, John David Willson, dead or alive?
John David Willson's information is not available now.
Is Meredith Willson's mother, Rosalie Reiniger Willso, dead or alive?
Rosalie Reiniger Willso's information is not available now.
Meredith Willson's sister :
- Lucille Willson
Meredith Willson's brother :
- John Cedrick
Meredith Willson - Biography
Meredith Willson - musician, playwright and composer - was best known for the book, words, and music for The Music Man (1962). He wrote two other musical plays, including The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964). Many of his songs are standards, including "You and I", "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You", "It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas", "Seventy-six Trombones", and "Till There Was You", which was a surprising song choice for a hit record by The Beatles. Willson left Mason City, the setting for "The Music Man", in 1919 to attend Damrosch Institute (now Juilliard) in New York. He played flute and piccolo in John Philip Sousa's band from 1921 to 1923 and then joined the New York Philharmonic Orchestra from 1924 to 1929. In 1930 he got a job in radio in California. Radio was his primary source of income over the following twenty-five years. He also composed several orchestral works during the '30s and '40s, including symphonies for The Great Dictator (1940) and The Little Foxes (1941). In 1951 the stage producers Martin and Feuer proposed that Willson write a musical comedy about his Iowa boyhood. With his common touch, they said, it was sure to be a hit. After seven years, he finally got what turned out to be his masterpiece onto the stage. "The Music Man", which Willson said was "an Iowan's attempt to pay tribute to his home state", premiered on Broadway in 1957. Robert Preston recreated his most famous role and Willson's most famous character, that of Professor Harold Hill, in the film production of The Music Man (1962).
