Arthur Kent, 88, Composer; wrote Skeeter Davis' hit "The End of The World"

[MDB1...@hotmail.com]

Arthur Kent, a musician and the composer of Skeeter Davis' 1963 hit,
"The End of The World", died on Jan. 26, in Florence, South Carolina.
He was 88.
Born in New York, N.Y., Arthur Kent had a 35 year career in the music
business, from New York to Nashville.

Joining ASCAP in 1942, he co-wrote dozens of songs, perhaps the
biggest of which was Skeeter Davis' 1963 hit "The End of The World".
Produced by Anita Kerr, the record proved to be one of country music's
"crossover" hit songs. Covered by such diverse vocalists as Al
Martino, Bobby Vinton, The Lettermen, The Carpenters, Ruby and The
Romantics, as well as instrumentalists such as Henry Mancini and Percy
Faith, it would go on to become one of the most recognized songs of
the '60s. The song's mournful lyrics were written by Sylvia Dee. Other
lyricists Arthur Kent collaborated with were Sammy Gallop, Redd Evans
and Johnny Mercer.

Artists who recorded songs by Arthur Kent were Ella Fitzerald, Nat
'King' Cole, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, The Mills Brothers ("You
Never Miss The Water Till The Well Runs Dry"), Etta Jones ("Don't Go
To Strangers"), and Julie London ("I'm Coming Back To You"), among
others.

Arthur Kent is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helen, two daughters
and two granddaughters.
A Memorial Service for the composer/musician was held on Feb. 5.

[R H Draney]

MDB1...@hotmail.com filted:

>Born in New York, N.Y., Arthur Kent had a 35 year career in the music
>business, from New York to Nashville.
>
>Joining ASCAP in 1942, he co-wrote dozens of songs, perhaps the
>biggest of which was Skeeter Davis' 1963 hit "The End of The World".

"Skeeter" may be the least likely name ever to suggest a sweet, dreamy feminine
voice....

At least until I heard of Fish Leong....r

--
"You got Schadenfreude on my Weltanschauung!"
"You got Weltanschauung in my Schadenfreude!"