September in the Rain: The Life of Nelson Riddle

Nelson Riddle will forever be linked with the music and recordings of such unforgettable vocalists as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and dozens of others. Riddle not only helped to establish Nat “King” Cole’s career in the 1950s, but was also a major participant in reviving Frank Sinatra’s musical career. He served as arranger for many of Sinatra’s albums, as well as musical director for many of the singer’s television specials and feature films. Later, this renowned arranger was active in writing the scores for such television shows and feature films as Route 66, The Untouchables, Robin and the Seven Hoods, Paint Your Wagon, and The Great Gatsby, for which he won an Academy Award.



September in the Rain is the first-ever biography of the most highly respected arranger in the history of American popular music. This fascinating book is based on more than 200 personal interviews with Riddle’s closest friends, family, and colleagues. Readers will receive an inside look at his inspirations, his work, and his creative genius...how he revived his own career after the abrupt change in popular music during the ’70s...and the story of his brilliant association with singer Linda Ronstadt, which resulted in three gold and platinum albums, sold a grand total of 6.1 million records, and earned him one of his three Grammy awards.



For readers who are fans of such great stars as Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, and Judy Garland, September in the Rain provides an exclusive, inside look at the creative genius who helped build these singers into musical legends.



• The first-ever biography of the greatest arranger of American popular music, strongly identified with Frank Sinatra's finest recordings, television appearances, and films

• Based on more than 200 first-hand interviews with Riddle's closest colleagues, family, and friends

• Also features a look at American pop music from the big-band era through the mid-1980s

• Name interest in such stars as Frank Sinatra, Linda Rondstadt, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat "King" Cole, and Dean Martin

Peter J. Levinson is the author of Trumpet Blues: The Life of Harry James. He worked for 42 years in the entertainment business as a publicist, freelance writer, booking agent, and personal manager. He lives in Malibu, California.