Stanley Adams

Stanley Adams of ASCAP dies at 86 NEW YORK -- Popular song lyricist Stanley Adams, known as the grand old man of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, died Thursday at Long Island hospital in Manhasset, N. Y., after a short illness. He was 86. The author of 'What a Diff'rence a Day Made' and many other hit songs witten with such composers as Victor Herbert, Sigmund Romberg, Hoagy Carmichael, Oscar Levant and Ray Henderson, served as president of ASCAP 1953-56 and 1959-1980 for a total of 24 years. During Adams' presidency, ASCAP made great gains in extending its membership to new music media and negotiating landmark licensing agreements with music users. He was a leader in revision of the U.S. copyright law in 1976, ending exemption from the law long enjoyed by jukebox operators. He also established ASCAP as a major force in the country music field, opening the organization's first office in Nashville, Tenn., nearly 30 years ago. 'He was a pillar of our organization, a voice of great experience and reason,' said composer Morton Gould, current ASCAP president. 'His was an important and vital presence for ASCAP. To paraphrase his own lyric, 'What a difference an Adams made'.' A native New Yorker, Adams received a law degree from new York University but became interested in song writing as a result of participation in student theatrical productions. He gave up practice of law to collaborate with major composers of the day after writing his first major hit, 'Rollin' Down the River' with Fats Waller. 'What a Difference a Day Made' was his biggest hit and was given a memorable interpretation by the Dorsey Brothers in 1934, followed by renditions by Andy Russell, Dinah Washington and Esther Philips. Other hits by Adams were 'Strangers in the Dark,' 'Little Old Lady,' and 'There Are Such Things.' He was a lyricist of such Broadway musicals 'Shady Lady' in 1933, 'The Show is On' in 1936, and 'A Lady Says Yes,' in 1945. Adams is survived by his widow, Berenice, and a grandson, Adam Hammil, of Boston. Funeral services will be private but a public memorial program is being planned. Stanley Adams Singer Stanley Adams was an American lyricist and songwriter. He wrote the English lyrics for the song "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" and the English lyrics for "La Cucaracha." Adams was the president of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers between 1953 and 1956, and again from 1959 until 1980. Wikipedia Born: Aug 14, 1907 · New York, NY Died: Jan 27, 1994 · Manhasset, NY Education: New York University Timeline 1929: Born in Manhattan, New York, Adams attended New York University where he earned a law degree in 1929. 1934: He wrote the English lyrics for the song "What a Diff'rence a Day Makes" (song written by the Mexican composer María Grever in 1934) and the English lyrics for "La Cucaracha." 1988: In 1988, Adams was awarded the Board of Directors Award at the Songwriters Hall of Fame.