Nelson Smock Riddle, Jr. (June 1, 1921 – October 6, 1985) was an American bandleader, arranger and orchestrator whose career spanned from the late 1940s, struggled with the advent of rock 'n' roll, and saw a career revival in the early 1980s. In the 1950s, Riddle was associated with his work for Capitol Records, providing arrangements and musical direction to such vocalists as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Judy Garla...
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Nelson Smock Riddle, Jr. (June 1, 1921 – October 6, 1985) was an American bandleader, arranger and orchestrator whose career spanned from the late 1940s, struggled with the advent of rock 'n' roll, and saw a career revival in the early 1980s. In the 1950s, Riddle was associated with his work for Capitol Records, providing arrangements and musical direction to such vocalists as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney and Keely Smith and in the 1980s his career was brought back into focus and prominence, working with singer Linda Ronstadt on a series of highly successful platinum selling albums and international concerts.
Riddle was born in Oradell, New Jersey, the only child of Marie Albertine Riddle and Nelson Smock Riddle, Sr., and grew up in nearby Ridgewood. Following his father's interest in music, he began taking piano lessons at age eight and trombone lessons at age fourteen. Riddle and his family had a...
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