A renowned songwriter and producer behind iconic hits like "Can't Help Falling in Love" and "Twist and Shout", creating timeless music for legendary artists like Elvis Presley and The Isley Brothers.
Hugo Peretti was an American songwriter, trumpeter, and record producer, best known for his work as part of the renowned songwriting duo Hugo & Luigi. Alongside his cousin Luigi Creatore, Peretti penned some of the most memorable hits of the 1950s and 1960s, including "Honeycomb," "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine," and "Can't Help Falling in Love."
Born on December 6, 1916, in New York City to an Italian-American family, Peretti began his music career as a teenager, playing the trumpet in the Borscht Belt in upstate New York. He eventually graduated to playing with orchestras and, in the 1950s, partnered with his cousin Luigi Creatore to form the Hugo & Luigi songwriting team.
In 1957, Peretti and Creatore bought into Roulette Records, where they wrote songs for various artists, including Valerie Carr, and produced major hits for Jimmie Rodgers. Two years later, they signed a contract with RCA Records, producing recordings for pop crooner and NBC television personality Perry Como, as well as for Sam Cooke and Ray Peterson.
Peretti and Creatore's most notable achievement came with the writing of English lyrics for the South African composer Solomon Linda's song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," which became a hit for The Tokens. They also co-wrote "Can't Help Falling in Love" for RCA's megastar Elvis Presley, as well as Presley's hit single "Wild in the Country."
In the 1960s, Peretti and Creatore left RCA to join George David Weiss in writing the Broadway musical "Maggie Flynn." In the 1970s, they owned part of Avco Records and established HL Records, releasing successful recordings by The Stylistics and The Softones. They won the 1977 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album as producers of "Bubbling Brown Sugar."
Peretti married singer June Winters in 1943, and they formed a children's record label, Mayfair Records, in 1946. They released a series of best-selling albums featuring Winters as the Lady in Blue and had two daughters, Kathy and Tina Marie.
Hugo Peretti's contributions to the music industry are undeniable. His work as part of the Hugo & Luigi songwriting duo produced some of the most iconic hits of the 1950s and 1960s, and his influence on modern music is still felt today. Peretti's legacy serves as a testament to the power of creativity and collaboration, leaving behind a lasting impact on the world of music.
84 Years Old
A legendary singer-songwriter and pianist, known for writing and performing iconic hits like "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman", with a career spanning decades.
87 Years Old
A prolific songwriter behind numerous 1960s hits, crafting lyrics that captured the essence of youth culture and social change, with a legacy still resonating in modern music.
87 Years Old
A legendary singer-songwriter and pianist who wrote and performed iconic hits like "Oh! Carol" and "Calendar Girl", known for his catchy pop tunes and nostalgic charm.
90 Years Old
Wrote iconic pop songs of the 1960s, including "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and "Calendar Girl", with a distinctive style that blended catchy melodies and witty lyrics.
87 Years Old
A renowned pianist, songwriter, and producer behind numerous iconic hits, including "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "On Broadway", with a legacy that has shaped the music industry.
