George Wyle

George Wyle (March 22, 1916 – May 2, 2003), born Bernard Weissman, was an American orchestra leader and composer best known for having written the theme song to 1960s television sitcom Gilligan's Island. He is also the grandfather of musician Adam Levy.

Early Years

In the late 1940s and early 1950s his orchestra served as backup for a number of Columbia Records singers, including Doris Day. Some of the recordings (including "I Said My Pajamas (and Put on My Pray'rs)" in 1949 and "I Didn't Slip, I Wasn't Pushed, I Fell" in 1950) were of his own compositions.

Song Writer

He wrote with Sherwood Schwartz The Ballad of Gilligan's Island, the theme song for Gilligan's Island. He also wrote the Christmas song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (first recorded by Andy Williams in 1963) and more than 400 other songs. His chief musical collaborator was Eddie Pola.

Musical Director

Wyle served as the musical director for The Flip Wilson Show during the early 1970s and also served the music director and arranger for John Denver and the Muppets - A Christmas Together. He served on the Board of Directors of The American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (1979-2003).