Steve Karmen

Steve Karmen (born January 31, 1937) is an American composer, most famous for several jingles. Among his better known works are the New York State song, "I Love New York", the jingle Here Comes the King, the Exxon Song (1976), and Wrigley Spearmint Gum / Carry The Big Fresh Flavor (1973). He also composed several music scores for motion pictures during the 1960s, and performed briefly as a Calypso singer, achieving some recognition in Trinidad during that time. Karmen is the recipient of 16 Clio Awards.

Life and career

Karmen was born in the Bronx, New York. Steve was unique among jingle writers. Unlike other composers, who were paid a flat price for their jingles, Steve was the only one of his peers to receive royalties every time one of his jingles was performed on TV or Radio. His informal industry title "The King of Jingles" may have been given to him because of this extraordinary business ability to retain publishing rights.

He was born into a conservative family. His father was from Russia. Karmen grew up with Bobby Darin, and played with him in a band in the 1950s. They met while they were at the Bronx High School of Science.[1] He played saxophone and guitar.[2]

His wife died of colon cancer in 1973.[2] He is the father of three daughters.

As of 2007, he lives in Westchester, New York.[3]

List of Jingles

This list of jingles by Karmen only includes those composed from 1968 to the beginning of 1980. (Karmen, 1980).[4]

1968

1969

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

1980

Discography (selective)

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ Me and Bobby D. Books.google.com. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  2. 1 2 "Me and Bobby D: A Memoir -Interview with Author Steve Karmen by Jordon Rich - BobbyDarin.net/BobbyDarin.com". Bobbydarin.com. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  3. ↑ "Steve Karmen - Me and Bobby D. - Book". Stagepass.com. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  4. ↑ "Jingle Sheet Music Folio Books". Classicthemes.com. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records By Tim Neely, Martin Popoff Page 380 Karmen, Steve
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