He doesn't really fit the sideman category, but the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame had to put him somewhere for his contributions, so in 2012 Don Kirshner was inducted under that heading.

Kirshner saw potential in the young songwriters Neil Sedaka, Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. At his publishing company Aldon music (across the street from the Brill Building in New York City), these upstarts wrote - and sometimes performed - the hit songs that shaped the sound of the early '60s: "The Loco-Motion," "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," "On Broadway," and so many others.

In 1963, Kirshner sold Aldon to Screen Gems, where he ran the operations. Now a bi-coastal mogul, he created The Monkees and continued to nurture songwriters and artists, leaving an indelible stamp on music history.

Kirshner's story is told in the book Don Kirshner: The Man with the Golden Ear, whose author, Rich Podolsky, wrote this Fact or Fiction. See if you can spot the real stories of the man who changed the face of Rock and Roll.

Get much more in the book Don Kirshner: The Man with the Golden Ear.

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More Fact or Fiction

Comments: 8

• Alexandra from San Jose, CaBoth Don & Bobby worked as waiters in my father Murray Speicher's nightclub "The Cafe Intimo"
• Scott A Story from Council Bluffs Iowa Loved Don Kirshners Rock Concert. And Carol King and Jerry Goffin's creations were fantastic musical accomplishments.
• Coy from Palestine, TxAlso, Kirshner didn't "create" the Monkees. They were created by Bob Rafaelson and Robert Altman. Kirshner was hired to be musical producer for the show.
• Coy from Palestine, TxIt is a mystery about "Sugar, Sugar" because Mickey Dolenz has always said "The Monkees were stupid to turn it down". Kirshner was replaced for releasing "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" without letting the Monkees know. It only went to number two on the charts. You can still hear Neil Diamond singing in the background on the record (he wrote the song).
• Tom from Decatur, IllinoisWith all due respect to Don Kirshner, I have to go with Jeff Barry, the co-songwriter & producer of The Archies when he says "Sugar, Sugar" was written specifically for the Archie show. Hew wrote & produced it; therefor, he would know.
• Mack from TexasKirshner also brought Neil Diamond's songs to the Monkees. "I'm a Believer", "Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow" and "Little Bit Me, Little Bit You"
• Ron from IndySo was "Rock Concert" which was Kirshner's show.
• Meocyber from Alma, Co The "Midnight Special" was a great showplace for the great music of the 70's from rock to disco. RIP Don.

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