The Pittsburgh Press du lieu suivant : Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 164

a i i omul myjCIS i why is he growing sideburns? ii -r fisi i mi ii 1 'xrS1J ft 1 0 Jy Acker Pclit Press Special ritcr It is a sad thing, all the same, to hear a man with a thirst for Schubert and Wagner humming snatches of something called "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You." He stops, bewildered, stares about as if in fear that his mind is going. With an air of determination, he begins whistling the theme of Beethoven's Ninth. Two minutes later, he finds himself back at "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You." How about that? Hubbard (Ohio) News. at least one week, for the nation. Its record sales have passed the million mark.

But it would have been a hit without Presley, just the same. That's because of the simple, ballad-type words by an unassuming Pittsburgh writer, and the haunting tune. Maurice Mysels, the author, worked out the lyrics with New Yorker Ira Kosloff doing the tune, the song almost growing by itself as they went along. Who is this Maurice Mysels, whose simple poem has sent mil-' lions of teen-agers shrieking with delight? He is the youngest son of a musical couple who came to America nearly half a century ago to escape the hatreds and oppressions of Europe. Settling in the Hill District, which was then largely a haven for immi grants, Harry Mysels and his wife started a little music store which they still operate at 1621 Centre though now it's mostly a gathering place for the family.

Born shortly before the Depression, Maurice was the fifth boy and eighth child In the Mysels family, and grew up in an atmosphere of music. All the brothers and sisters had an ear for melody, and two of his older brothers became professional and successful song writers. They are Sammy, author of 300 published songs, including "We Three' and "The Singing Hills," which topped the Hit Parade, and George, whose music for Lincoln's Gettysburg Address bids fair to become an American classic. Both of them live in New York now, to keep in close touch with Tinpan Alley. But Maurice though he spends enough time there to fTTViATS the way with, this song "hit by a Pittsburgh musician.

Even those who abhor popu lar music most can't get it out of their heads. And the cats flip their lids over it. With a recording by Elvis Presley it's a big success, quickly rising near the top in the Hit Parade, and being No. 1 in commercial sales for keep up with trends in popular music, still clings to Pittsburgh as home. Currently the three brothers have over a hundred wings under contract to various publishers.

They are continually working on more not Just one, or one apiece hut with scores of ideas In vari-ohm Hlages, gradually taking 'I wrote a is the mark of a beginner," says Maurice, who feels himself extremely lucky to have such a hit after having only about 15 published. "Of course, anyone may have a brainstorm and write one song that proves a hit But that is very rare. To do any tjood in writing, you have to keep writing songs lots of songs and learning as you go." How does a young fellow like Maurice come to bo a song writer? He started out promoting the. songs written by his brothers, Sammy and George. "No matter how good your work Is, you don't want people to forget you," he says.

"I traveled a good visiting newspir.ers and radio stations all over the country, and made a lot of friends." Now Maurice feels that former experience was one of his best breaks toward success. Song Must tte flood "You hear a lot of sour grapers say 'It isn't what you knows but whom you he says. "That isn't true. It's what and whom you know. "You have to have a good song, but the radio and newspapers can do a lot to help you.

I'll never forget how much they have helped me in getting this song before the public." Mr. Mysels started in writing songs mostly to satisfy an inner urge, but "of course, the loot helps, Ije adds. He figures his compensations in song writing rate at about i 7 I I vs George Mysels wrote music for the Gettysburg Address. Sammy Mysels author of 300 published songs. Page 8 The Pitftburgh Press, Sunday, Sept.

16, 1956.