Wally Gold

Wally Gold (May 15, 1928 – June 7, 1998)[1] was an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and music business executive[2] from Teaneck, New Jersey.

By 1960, Gold joined Aaron Schroeder with whom he co-wrote two Elvis Presley Number 1 hits – "It's Now or Never"[2] (1960) and "Good Luck Charm" (1962).

[3] Gold's songs have been recorded by scores of artists, including Duane Eddy's "Because They're Young" which peaked at #4, Gene Pitney's "Half Heaven – Half Heartache" (#12) and "Take Me Tonight", Nat King Cole's "Time and the River", as well as by Paul Petersen and Pat Boone.

In the 1970s, Gold moved over to work as Vice President/general manager for Don Kirshner's music organization,[5] where he discovered and produced the band Kansas.

After leaving the music business, Gold worked as a travel agent until his death from colitis in 1998 at the age of 70.