Joe Reisman; Produced Hits for Page, Como
Joe Reisman, a composer, arranger and conductor whose lengthy associations with Patti Page and Perry Como produced such hits as “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window,” “Mockingbird Hill,” “Poppa Loves Mambo” and “Catch a Falling Star,” has died of a heart attack.
Reisman, a one-time saxophonist with some of the best of the Big Bands, including those of Glen Gray, Bob Crosby, Sam Donahue and Jack Teagarden, died Friday at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank.
Reisman began his affiliation with Page as her arranger and conductor. For her, he produced such hits as “Tennessee Waltz” and “Mockingbird Hill.” Besides Como, he arranged and conducted for Andre Previn, Lena Horne, Ann-Margret and Sarah Vaughan.
Most recently he produced for Henry Mancini. His arrangement of “Love Theme From Romeo and Juliet” for Mancini marked Reisman’s 13th million-selling single.
Reisman also composed several songs and instrumental works, among them “Joey’s Song.”
He is survived by his wife, Jean, two daughters, a son and grandson.
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