- Born
- Died
- Birth nameNelson Smock Riddle Jr.
- Nickname
- Nels
- Height1.88 m
- Versatile American arranger/conductor who started as a trombonist with several big bands, including Tommy Dorsey. In a long, distinguished career, he not only scored numerous films and television shows, but made many now-legendary recordings in collaboration with such people as Rosemary Clooney, Nat 'King' Cole, and, most notably, Frank Sinatra. With the latter, he recorded a series of albums now regarded as legendary ("Songs for Swingin' Lovers", "The Concert Sinatra", etc.). He recorded prolifically on his own, as well, scoring two top-ten hits with "Lisbon Antigua" (#1, 1956) and "Theme from 'Route 66'" (# 10, 1962). In his later years, he made a series of successful albums with pop diva Linda Ronstadt.- IMDb mini biography by: Bob Sorrentino
- SpousesNaomi Tenenholtz(April 11, 1970 - October 6, 1985) (his death)Doreen Moran(October 10, 1945 - January 22, 1970) (divorced, 7 children)
- Collaborated with several notable big band singers like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin
- He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6724 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
- Published a textbook of arranging techniques, "Arranged by Nelson Riddle," in 1973.
- Recorded on hiw own, as opposed to accompanying other performers, for Capitol, Reprise, Liberty, and Alshire records.
- Had seven children with wife Doreen: Nelson III (born 1947), Rosemary (born 1948), Christopher Riddle (born 1950), Bettina (born 1954), Leonora Celeste (born 1957, died age six months), Cecily Jean (born 1962), Maureen Alicia (born 1962).
- His second wife, Naomi Tenenholtz, was the daughter of the film and stage actor Elihu Tenenholtz (stage name: Tenen Holtz).
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