Dick Marx

Richard Henry Marx (April 12, 1924 – August 12, 1997) was an American jazz pianist and arranger. He also composed for film, television, and commercials.

This article is about the jazz pianist. For the singer who is his son, see Richard Marx.
Dick Marx
Birth nameRichard Henry Marx
Born(1924-04-12)April 12, 1924
Chicago, Illinois[1]
DiedAugust 12, 1997(1997-08-12) (aged 73)
Highland Park, Illinois
GenresJazz, pop, rock
Occupation(s)Musician, arranger, composer
InstrumentsPiano
Years active1950s–1997
Associated actsRichard Marx

Personal life

Marx married Ruth Marx (née Guildoo) and had a son, Richard Marx, pop singer, songwriter, and record producer.[2] Marx also had two daughters, Nancy and Judy, and a son, Jim, from a previous marriage.[3]

Career

Marx played piano in childhood. He got his professional start playing in nightclubs in Chicago.[4] In the 1950s, he accompanied singer Helen Merrill and released several albums.

Beginning in the 1960s, he spent three decades in advertising, writing commercial jingles for Dial soap, Kellogg's Raisin Bran cereal, Ken-L Ration dog food, and Wrigley's Doublemint gum. His son Richard and wife Ruth sang on some of the commercials. In the 1980s he moved to Los Angeles and composed music for the films A League of Their Own and Edwards and Hunt and the television program Fudge. He died in Highland Park, Illinois, from injuries caused by a car accident in Las Vegas.[4]

Discography

As leader

As sideman or guest musician

With Johnny Frigo

With Eddie Harris

With Helen Merrill

With Ken Nordine

With others

  • 1957 The Singing Reed, Lucy Reed
  • 1987 Richard Marx, Richard Marx
  • 1992 S'Wonderful, George Gershwin
  • 1992 The Gershwin Songbook: 'S Wonderful, George Gershwin
  • 1995 Pee Wee King and His Golden West Cowboys, Pee Wee King & His Golden West Cowboys
  • 1995 The Complete Gershwin Songbooks, George Gershwin
  • 1997 America's Song Butchers: The Weird World of Homer & Jethro, Homer and Jethro
  • 2006 Blue Suede Shoes: Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight, Pee Wee King[5]

As arranger or conductor
  • 1989 Repeat Offender, Richard Marx
  • 1994 Have a Little Faith, Joe Cocker
  • 1996 Kissing Rain, Roch Voisine
  • 1997 Across from Midnight, Joe Cocker
  • 1997 Flesh & Bone, Richard Marx[5]

References
  1. Illinois, Cook County Birth Certificates, 1878-1938
  2. "Ruth Guildoo Marx Royalties". Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  3. "Dick Marx's Death Notice". The New York Times. August 14, 1997. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  4. Hogan, Ed. "Dick Marx". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  5. "Dick Marx | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
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