Don Robertson, born December 5, 1922, deceased March 16, 2015.
Don was a Grammy nominated writer and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, as well as being an ASCAP songwriter, music publisher, pianist, singer and former recording artist for Capitol Records, RCA Victor and Monument Records.
Don had a world-wide million-selling record on Capitol Records in 1956 with THE HAPPY WHISTLER. He was the whistler, writer and arranger.
Elvis Presley recorded 14 of Don's songs, as did country legend, Eddy Arnold. There are over 700 different renditions & usages of Don's songs to date.
A few of his 1950's and 60's pop standards were BORN TO BE WITH YOU (The Chordettes), HUMMINGBIRD (Les Paul & Mary Ford); and RINGO, a #1 pop hit for Lorne Greene in 1964. Robertson also wrote, or co-wrote, some of the most beloved country songs of all time: PLEASE HELP ME I'M FALLING (Hank Locklin), I REALLY DON'T WANT TO KNOW (Eddy Arnold) and I DON'T HURT ANYMORE (Hank Snow), also a hit R&B version by Dinah Washington.
He was nominated for a Grammy award in 1967. That was also the year his name was added to the Walkway of Stars at Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where some of his work was put on permanent exhibit.
Don is credited with originating the piano style known as Country Piano, or Nashville Slip-Note Style, made popular by Floyd Cramer.
He also recorded as a singer and pianist for RCA Victor and Capitol Records as well as being a background keyboard player on recordings with Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole, Duane Eddy, Al Martino and many others.
Don Robertson Dead At 92
March 23, 2015 | People
I am Buffalo-Horn! wrote on
March 23, 2015
The songs he wrote for Elvis were unsurpassed. But it always amazed me how Floyd Cramer got away with so blatantly copying Don's piano style.
shoesuedeblues wrote on
March 23, 2015
One of my all time favourite songwriters, sorry he had to leave us, a truly talented guy.
Pietro S wrote on
March 23, 2015
It's a great loss! Admired him for his creativity and all his beautiful ballads. He know exactly how to write an Elvis material. His great songs easily became my favourites: Anything, Starting Today, I Met Her, I'm Counting, What Now What Next.
Don, thanks for all your great contribution to the music. Rest In Peace!
ElvisSacramento wrote on
March 24, 2015
Don, thanks so very much for the memories. We will all miss you. Your songs, spirit and legacy will live on forever.
marty wrote on
March 24, 2015
One my favourite songwriters, wrote some great ballads for Elvis. A superb piano player and a decent singer as well. He live on through his music.
You Dont Know Me wrote on
March 25, 2015
Tremendous loss and all of his songs Elvis sang of his are my favourates!~ great will be missed!~