Van Dyke Parks
Van Dyke Parks used to be somebody. Some say one of the preeminent arrangers and pop artists in the world! Park s was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1943. He wrote lyrics for Brian Wilson’s celebrated SMiLE in 1966, which resulted in several Beach Boys hits. He went on to pursue a career as an artist and producer at Warner Brothers Records, where he was the head of the first Audio-Visual Department at any record label. His albums include elaborately orchestrated fantasies on interconnected themes and the examination and reinvention of our American Dream.
He acts occasionally—on David Lynch’s Twin Peaks, The Honeymooners, and Jack Nicholson’s The Two Jakes. He has written in numerable film and television scores. And he has authored three children’s books based on American folklore.
His genre-hopping, cross-generational productions and arrangements range from Skrillex to Ramblin’ Jack Elliott; U2 to Carly Simon; and also Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, The Everly Brothers, Peter Case, Fiona Apple, Inara George, Rufus Wainwright, Silverchair, Little Feat, Ringo Starr, Phil Ochs, Toad The Wet Sprocket, Daniel Johns, Harry Nilsson, Sam Phillips, The Esso Trinidad Steel Band... etc.!
It’s obvious Parks can’t get along with anyone. But he’ll try.
