Composer worked in settings from film to Broadway to pop, but he remains best known for a series of bubblegum-era smashes written in partnership with longtime collaborator , most notably 's "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini," ' "Tracy," and Clint Holmes' "Playground of My Mind." first earned attention writing for television, with musical credits including The U.S. Steel Hour, before teaming with fellow Brill Building composer to author "Catch a Falling Star," a number one pop hit for crooner in 1958. At the same time also collaborated with , with whom he wrote ' hit "Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Back Seat" as well as 's "My Little Corner of the World." In 1960 reunited with for "Four Little Heels (The Clickety Clack Song)," a minor chart entry for 16-year-old singer ; with "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini," rocketed to teen idol status, and the songwriters scored their second chart-topping hit. Despite their success continued branching out — also in 1960 he teamed with lyricist Anne Croswell for the Broadway stage hit Ernest in Love, inspired by Oscar Wilde's classic The Importance of Being Earnest, and two years later topped the pop charts with ' "Johnny Angel," co-written with Lyn Duddy. In 1963 and Croswell debuted the Broadway musical Tovarich, which earned star Viven Leigh the Tony Award for Best Actress. nevertheless enjoyed his most consistent commercial success with , although their track record pigeonholed the duo as novelty writers. Their next significant hit was the 1964 "Leader of the Pack" parody "Leader of the Laundromat," credited to and featuring vocals by Aldon Music session singer . and collaborated with on a recurring basis throughout the remainder of the decade, notching a minor hit with the singer's solo effort "Don't Stand Up in a Canoe" before installing him in their session group , earning a Top Ten hit in 1969 with "Tracy." The following year and scored the animated feature The Phantom Tollbooth prior to notching their final major pop hit with Clint Holmes' "Playground of My Mind." A flop upon its initial mid-1972 release, the single later caught on at AM radio, and in the summer of 1973 ascended to the number two spot. As bubblegum's commercial fortunes waned, returned to television, composing for Sesame Street and The Mike Douglas Show as well as the ABC primetime special Stanley the Ugly Duckling. ~ Jason Ankeny

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