Music Contract
New York: 1954.
Extremely rare contract from the vaults of Hometown Village Music. 4to. 1 page, Village Music Company, 1619 Broadway, New York City, August 26th 1954, to Miss Gloria Shayne and Noel Regney (before they were married), whereby Sidney Prosen proposes an up-date to a previous contract, based on the trio's success, in part: "...Your signature where indicated below constitutes this is a binding agreement between us. Note: in consideration of the unusual and successful endeavors by ourselves in securing a major label, in connection with the musical composition "Ugh! Could I Hug You!", of which you are the composers, and of which you are the owners, you and ourselves agree to modify the writers' contract between us, dated August 1st 1954, with reference to your share only of the writers' royalties, to the extent that one third is to be turned over to Village Music Company, for securing a commercial recording of this song, on a major label...", boldly signed at conclusion "Gloria Shayne" and "Noel Regney" and "Sidney Prosen". Also included are the following items: the original Certificate of Registration and Claim to Copyright, issued by the United States government, with embossed validation seal, 4to, 1 page, January 25th 1955, to Gloria Shayne and Noel Regney, acknowledging that they are in fact the writers and owners of said copyright; original printed sheet music for a television skit, including words and music for "Ugh! Could I Hug You!" created for legendary jazz trumpeter and composer Roger "King" Mozian, February 1955; and last: a rare signed "Ugh! I Could Hugh You!" on Pic Records - 0003, boldly signed in full: "Roger Mozian". *Roger "King" Mozian died at age 35 from pulmonary tuberculosis having been murred by two quack physicians who were ultimately convicted of manslaughter and sent to jail. *Sidney Prosen was a songwriter and publisher best remembered for discovering Hank Williams and, later, Tom & Jerry, better known as Simon and Garfunkel, whom he recorded in 1957 on his Bif Record label. He was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. *Noel Regney was a French-born songwriter (as described above) whos success also includes the English lyrics for The Singing Nun's giant hit "Dominique". Excellent condition.
American composer and songwriter best known for composing the Christmas peace anthem "Do You Hear What I Hear?" in 1962 with her then husband Noel Regney. Gloria grew up next door to Joseph and Rose Kennedy and their children, and briefly dated future President John F. Kennedy. She moved to New York City in the late 1940's and became and arranger of music for composers, working with Stephen Sondheim and Irving Berlin. The Christmas carol "Do You Hear What I Hear?" was written in October 1962 during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis as a plea for world peace. It has since been recorded by hundreds of artists including Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, and Gladys Knight, and has sold forty million records world wide.
Binding: Unbound
Condition: Very Good
Language: English
Price: $1,200.00
Item #291490