Richard Adler: Broadway composer dies age 90

Broadway composer Richard Adler died 21 Jun 2012, at age 90, at his home in Southampton, New York.

With writing partner Jerry Ross, he wrote the music and lyrics to back-to-back Best Musical Tony winners 'The Pajama Game' (in 1955) and 'Damn Yankees' (in 1956). Many songs from the shows became cross-over pop hits: "Steam Heat," "Hernando's Hideaway," "Hey There," "Heart" and "Whatever Lola Wants."

Adler is also known for having produced the 1962 birthday celebration for President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, where Marilyn Monroe memorably sang "Happy Birthday."

He is survived by his wife; his children, Andrew Adler, Katherine Adler and Charles Shipman; and three grandchildren, Damien and Scarlett Adler and Lola Jane Shipman.