Songwriter. He perhaps shall be best remembered for the 1968 Louis Armstrong classic "What a Wonderful World". Raised in New York City, his family intended for him to become a lawyer, but a love of music led him to the piano, violin, and woodwinds, and to study at Juilliard. Following graduation he worked as an arranger for various Big Bands, then served as a military bandleader during World War II. After the conflict, he collaborated with a number of others to produce a string of hits including "Lullaby of Birdland" (1952), the 1962 "Can't Help Falling in Love With You", which was made popular by Elvis Presley, and "That Sunday, That Summer" (1963). He had a major success when The Tokens recorded "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in 1961; the work has been covered by a number of artists and appeared in "The Lion King", though copyright suits over it were not finally settled until 2006. Likewise, "What a Wonderful World" has been performed by multiple singers including Tony Bennett and Mel Torme, while being used as background music in "Good Morning Vietnam". Weiss worked on three Broadway musicals, including "First Impressions" (1959) and the 1968 "Maggie Flynn"; numbered among his multiple film credits are "Gidget Goes to Rome" (1953), 1964's "Mediterranean Holiday", and the 1966 "Mademoiselle". Serving as president of the Songwriters Guild of America from 1982 until 2000, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984. He died of age related causes.
Songwriter. He perhaps shall be best remembered for the 1968 Louis Armstrong classic "What a Wonderful World". Raised in New York City, his family intended for him to become a lawyer, but a love of music led him to the piano, violin, and woodwinds, and to study at Juilliard. Following graduation he worked as an arranger for various Big Bands, then served as a military bandleader during World War II. After the conflict, he collaborated with a number of others to produce a string of hits including "Lullaby of Birdland" (1952), the 1962 "Can't Help Falling in Love With You", which was made popular by Elvis Presley, and "That Sunday, That Summer" (1963). He had a major success when The Tokens recorded "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" in 1961; the work has been covered by a number of artists and appeared in "The Lion King", though copyright suits over it were not finally settled until 2006. Likewise, "What a Wonderful World" has been performed by multiple singers including Tony Bennett and Mel Torme, while being used as background music in "Good Morning Vietnam". Weiss worked on three Broadway musicals, including "First Impressions" (1959) and the 1968 "Maggie Flynn"; numbered among his multiple film credits are "Gidget Goes to Rome" (1953), 1964's "Mediterranean Holiday", and the 1966 "Mademoiselle". Serving as president of the Songwriters Guild of America from 1982 until 2000, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984. He died of age related causes.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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