Biography
George Wyle earned his living principally as an arranger, conductor, choreographer, and composer in the television industry, concentrating his efforts on variety programs, yet his lasting reputation rests on a single, instantly recognizable melody—the theme that opened every episode of Gilligan’s Island. Born in New York City on March 22, 1916, he supplied music for series built around Jerry Lewis, Flip Wilson, and Jimmy Durante. His longest-running professional bond was with Andy Williams, for whom he served as music director on The Andy Williams Show and, with Eddie Pola, co-wrote the enduring holiday favorite “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
Immortality arrived, however, through “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island.” Series producer Sherwood Schwartz had drafted some of the lyrics but required assistance refining them and pairing them with suitable music. Wyle fashioned a sea chantie—Schwartz’s initial notion had been a Caribbean calypso—made further lyrical adjustments, and produced a result that lodged itself permanently in popular culture. Although Wyle never became a widely recognized name, successive generations of viewers continue to recite his creation verbatim. He succumbed to leukemia on May 1, 2003, at the age of 87.
Immortality arrived, however, through “The Ballad of Gilligan’s Island.” Series producer Sherwood Schwartz had drafted some of the lyrics but required assistance refining them and pairing them with suitable music. Wyle fashioned a sea chantie—Schwartz’s initial notion had been a Caribbean calypso—made further lyrical adjustments, and produced a result that lodged itself permanently in popular culture. Although Wyle never became a widely recognized name, successive generations of viewers continue to recite his creation verbatim. He succumbed to leukemia on May 1, 2003, at the age of 87.