Bill Snyder born 7 November 1916

Bill Snyder also known as William P. Snyder (November 7, 1916 – Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, May 11, 2011) was an American pianist, bandleader and songwriter of the 1950s.

Bill Snyder, "America's most recorded pianist," began his multifaceted career as a child prodigy. His impressive academic background includes studies with the now legendary Moritz Rosenthal in Paris and Chicago's own Rudolph Ganz. Bill served in the Air Force during the Second World War.

 

                              

Snyder zoomed into national prominence as a recording artist with his first record, "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered," from the Rodgers and Hart Musical, "Pal Joey," which held the number one spot and sold well into the millions. He conducted, arranged and performed musicals in the famed College Inn in the Sherman House in Chicago, musicals that included "Salute to Cole Porter" and the "Salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein" shows.

Through the 1950s Snyder was America's most recorded light music pianist with nine gold awards and one platinum award for his singles and albums. He toured around the United States and Canada for Columbia Artists Management as a concert attraction in the Community Concert series. He appeared with symphony orchestras and performed such well known works as Gershwin's, "Rhapsody in Blue," Franz Listz's "Hungarian Fantasy" and some of his own compositions.

After performing 75 years, Bill Snyder joyfully retired with his beloved wife, Marion, in the lovely city of Fond du Lac, Wis.,and died Nov. 5, 2011.at the age of 95.