Al Kasha
Encyclopedia
Al Kasha is a Brooklyn
–born composer
, songwriter
and arranger
, as well as businessman. He is most noted for his years of collaboration with songwriter Joel Hirschhorn
. The two wrote and collaborated many successful songs for many musical groups such as The Peppermint Rainbow
's "Will You Be Staying After Sunday".
The songwriting duo won two Oscars for Best Song, "The Morning After
" from The Poseidon Adventure in 1972 and "We May Never Love Like This Again
" from The Towering Inferno in 1974.
Along with Hirshhorn, Kasha also received two Tony
nominations for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
and Copperfield
, two Grammy nominations and an Emmy, as well as four Golden Globe nominations and a People's Choice award
. They also composed the theme song to the short-lived 1990s game show The Challengers
.
Al is currently married to Ceil Kasha, famed interior designer and decorator. Mrs. Kasha also handles Donna Summer's business affairs.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
–born composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, as well as businessman. He is most noted for his years of collaboration with songwriter Joel Hirschhorn
Joel Hirschhorn
Joel Hirschhorn, , was an American songwriter. During a successful career, he won the Academy Award for Best Song on two occasions...
. The two wrote and collaborated many successful songs for many musical groups such as The Peppermint Rainbow
The Peppermint Rainbow
The Peppermint Rainbow were an American sunshine pop group from Baltimore, Maryland. They formed in 1967 under the name New York Times, playing to local gigs in the mid-Atlantic states before changing their name to The Peppermint Rainbow in 1968...
's "Will You Be Staying After Sunday".
The songwriting duo won two Oscars for Best Song, "The Morning After
The Morning After (Maureen McGovern song)
"The Morning After" is a song first released in May 1973. It was the first success for singer Maureen McGovern and used as the love theme for the film The Poseidon Adventure, which was released late the year before.-Beginnings:The song was written in March 1972 by 20th Century Fox songwriters Al...
" from The Poseidon Adventure in 1972 and "We May Never Love Like This Again
We May Never Love Like This Again
"We May Never Love Like This Again" is a song written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn for the 1974 film, The Towering Inferno. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1974, and was performed by Maureen McGovern both for the film score and, briefly, in the film itself with McGovern...
" from The Towering Inferno in 1974.
Along with Hirshhorn, Kasha also received two Tony
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
nominations for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (musical)
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is a musical with a book by Lawrence Kasha and David Landay, music by Gene de Paul, Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer, Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn...
and Copperfield
Copperfield (musical)
Copperfield is a 1981 musical with a book, music, and lyrics by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, who were nominated for the 1981 Tony Award for Best Original Score. It is based on the classic 1850 novel David Copperfield by Charles Dickens....
, two Grammy nominations and an Emmy, as well as four Golden Globe nominations and a People's Choice award
People's Choice Awards
The People's Choice Awards is an American awards show recognizing the people and the work of popular culture. The show has been held annually since 1975 and is voted on by the general public. The People's Choice Awards air on CBS and are produced by Procter & Gamble and Survivor magnate Mark Burnett...
. They also composed the theme song to the short-lived 1990s game show The Challengers
The Challengers (game show)
The Challengers was an American syndicated game show from Ron Greenberg Productions, Dick Clark Productions, and Buena Vista Television. The show was hosted by Dick Clark. The show premiered on September 3, 1990 and ended on August 30, 1991...
.
Al is currently married to Ceil Kasha, famed interior designer and decorator. Mrs. Kasha also handles Donna Summer's business affairs.