Kal Mann (born Kalman Cohen; May 6, 1917 – November 28, 2001) ^[1] was an American lyricist. He is best known for penning the words to Elvis Presley's " Teddy Bear", plus " Butterfly", a hit for both Charlie Gracie and Andy Williams, and " Let's Twist Again", sung by Chubby Checker, which won the 1962 Grammy Award for Best Rock & Roll Recording.

Biography

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mann began his career in entertainment as a comedy writer for Danny Thomas and Red Buttons, until his friend and songwriter, Bernie Lowe, encouraged him to try writing lyrics for the music industry. ^[1] Mann co-wrote songs with Lowe and Dave Appell, yielding a number of major rock and roll hits such as Charlie Gracie's " Butterfly," which sold more than two million copies and also become a million seller for the crooner, Andy Williams, and also a minor hit for Bob Carroll, whose cover version peaked at #61. ^[2] In addition he co-wrote Elvis Presley's " Teddy Bear," ^[2] Bobby Rydell's " Wild One" and " The Cha-Cha-Cha", and Chubby Checker's " Let's Twist Again" and " Limbo Rock." Mann wrote a number of songs for Checker, including " Popeye the Hitchhiker" and " Slow Twistin'" plus Pat Boone's " Remember You're Mine", and the much covered " You Can't Sit Down". ^[3] He also wrote " Bristol Stomp" for The Dovells with David Appell.

" Fabulous", another Charlie Gracie track (and in 1999 covered by Paul McCartney) sold nearly one million copies upon release.

Some songs such as " Limbo Rock" were credited under the pseudonym of Jon Sheldon. This enabled him to be affiliated with both ASCAP and BMI. ^[4]

Record label

Mann and Lowe teamed up to form Cameo-Parkway Records in 1956.

Death

Kal Mann died in 2001 from Alzheimer's disease, at the age of 84.

See also

References