He was a songwriter, arranger and musician born in New York, New York, who studied at the Juilliard School of Music after rejecting his initial thoughts of becoming an accountant or lawyer.
After graduation he became an arranger for some of the big bandleaders of the time such as Stan Kenton, Johnny Richards and Vincent Lopez.
During WWII he served in the US military and after finishing his service he moved into his professional career as a songwriter. He would pen many chart hitting songs over the next three or four decades often in collaboration with other songwriters that include Bennie Benjamin, Jerry Bock, George Shearing, Bob Thearle, Luigi Creatore and Hugo Peretti and his best known hit singles include “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens, Lullaby of Birdland by George Shearing and “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.
Taking his songwriting to the world of theatre and film, he collaborated on the musicals Mr. Wonderful, First Impressions, Maggie Flynn, A Tale of Cinderella and All Shook Up and contributed work for the movie soundtracks of Mademoiselle, Murder Inc., Gidget Goes to Rome and Mediterranean Holiday.
His work appears on numerous recordings by a myriad of artists and they include Promises and Lies by UB40, Harem by Sarah Brightman, A Faith in Song by Cantors, Classic by Carl Perkins, Sentimental by Kathie Lee Gifford, Disco Baby by Van McCoy and the original soundtracks of Heartbreak Hotel and As Long As They’re Happy/An Alligator Named Daisy.
In 1984 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and held the position of President of the Songwriters Guild of America.
While at home in Oldwick, New Jersey, in August 2010 he passed away from natural causes when he was 89 years old.
Van McCoy recordings
Good Night Baby (Hugo & Luigi/George David Weiss)
Love Child (Hugo & Luigi/George David Weiss)
Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony recordings
Hey Girl, Come and Get It (Hugo & Luigi/George David Weiss)
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