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Alan Wendell LivingstonAmerican businessman
Date of Birth: 15.10.1917
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Alan Wendell Livingston
Alan Wendell Livingston (Levison) was born on October 15, 1917, in McDonald's, Pennsylvania, USA. He was the youngest of three children in a family where their mother encouraged them to read books and learn to play musical instruments. His older brother, Jay Livingston, wrote or co-wrote many popular songs for movies and TV shows, including "Buttons and Bows," "Mona Lisa," and the Christmas song "Silver Bells."
Career in Show Business
Livingston's career in show business began during his college years when he became the leader of his own orchestra at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating from the Wharton School with a bachelor's degree in economics, Alan moved to New York, where he worked in the advertising industry for three years. During World War II, he was drafted into the army and served as a second lieutenant in the infantry. After being discharged from the military, Livingston landed a position as a screenwriter-producer at Capitol Records in Hollywood.
Initially, Alan was involved in creating a collection of children's music recordings, during which he came up with the wildly popular character Bozo the Clown. The American businessman became the author and producer of the first album, "Bozo at the Circus," released in September 1946. Livingston's concept of combining storytelling with illustrations for children was unique. He developed many other character heroes for kids, including Disney's Pluto, Goofy, Woody Woodpecker, Bugs Bunny, and Warner Bros characters. Livingston also wrote the popular song "I Taut I Taw A Puddy Tat."
His first collaboration with Capitol Records was so successful that by the late 1940s and early 1950s, more than 8 million copies of his album were sold. The success of Bozo the Clown led to merchandise sales, and the first TV show, "Bozo's Circus," debuted in 1949, featuring Pinto Colvig. Over the years, Livingston became the Vice President responsible for the creative activities of the company. He signed a contract with Frank Sinatra when the singer was just beginning his career. Thanks to Alan's efforts, the company's sales increased from $6 million to $100 million annually.
In 1963, he initially said "no" to Brian Epstein, who wanted to release records by The Beatles on Capitol Records. It is said that Livingston dropped the phrase, "I don't think The Beatles will go on our market." However, he later took responsibility when he allowed the release of their album "Yesterday and Today" in 1966 with the original cover design. The "meat" cover featured photographs of dismembered doll parts, which sparked protests from dealers, leading the label to change the artwork of "Yesterday and Today." The original album design became so popular among collectors that the record price reached $20,000.
After ten years with Capitol Records, Livingston took on the role of President of California Productions and was appointed Vice President of NBC. After five years, the label convinced Alan to return and become the President, effectively taking the position of Chairman of the Board. He later led the merger of Capitol Records and Audio Devices, Inc., forming Capitol Industries, Inc.
Personal Life and Legacy
Following his divorce from actress Betty Hutton, Alan married another actress, Nancy Olson, known for her roles in films such as "Sunset Boulevard" and "The Absent-Minded Professor." The couple had a son, Christopher Livingston, who became a film producer, director, screenwriter, and composer. Alan also had a daughter, Laura Gibson, from a previous marriage, who became a jewelry designer, as well as two stepdaughters, Lisa and Jennifer Lerner.
At the age of 91, on March 13, 2009, Alan passed away at his home in Beverly Hills, California.
