Randy Starr

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Randy Starr is the stage name of Warren Nadel (born 2 July 1930). He was educated at Columbia University where he took his undergraduate degree from Columbia College in 1951, and his DDS degree in dentistry from Columbia College of Dental Medicine in 1954. He is currently retired and lives in New York, New York.

He wrote the music and lyrics, along with Dick Wolf, and performed the 1957 hit song "After School".

He was also a member of the U.S. band, The Islanders, whose "The Enchanted Sea" was the fifteenth most popular hit in 1959.

He is particularly noted for the music and lyrics he wrote for Elvis Presley. These songs include:

"Kissin' Cousins", written with Fred Wise, and featured in the film, Kissin' Cousins.
"The Yellow Rose of Texas", written with Fred Wise, featured in the 1964 film Viva Las Vegas
"Carny Town", with lyrics by Fred Wise, featured in the 1964 film Roustabout
"Look Out Broadway" written with Fred Wise, featured in the 1966 film Frankie and Johnny
"Datin'" written with Fred Wise, featured in the 1966 film Paradise, Hawaiian Style
"Adam And Evil" written with Fred Wise, featured in the 1966 film Spinout
"Could I Fall In Love" and "Old MacDonald", both songs with music and lyrics by Starr, featured in the 1967 film Double Trouble
"Who Needs Money", and "The Girl I Never Loved", both songs with music and lyrics by Starr, featured in the 1967 film Clambake
"Almost in Love" written together with Luiz Bonfa featured in the 1968 film Live a Little, Love a Little

"I've Got News for You" written with Fred Wise, featured in the 1965 Elvis Presley film Girl Happy was sung by Shelly Fabares and Nita Talbot.

Starr had several notable television appearances. On 21 August 1957 he performed his hit song, "After School", in one of his five appearances on American Bandstand. On 10 September 1962 he appeared as a the real songwriting dentist on To Tell the Truth.

Songs written by Starr were recorded by a number of artists, including Jackie Wilson, The Kingston Trio, Teresa Brewer, Nelson Riddle, Chet Atkins, Kay Starr and Connie Francis.

He is currently working on a project for the Elvis Presley Hit Making Team which is producing original music in the Elvis Presley style, including some songs that Presley was considering recording before his death. These songs are sung by John Krondes.