Biography
A stylish composer, conductor, and arranger, Les Baxter created the music for over 250 films, television, and radio programs. On television, his best-known theme is the haunting whistling soundtrack for the original
Lassie series. Baxter's music can be heard on numerous low-budget films of the '50s and '60s, including entries in the
Beach Blanket series starring
Annette Funicello and
Frankie Avalon, and in
Roger Corman's Edgar Allen Poe series, which includes
The Fall of the House of Usher (1960). Baxter started out playing sax at various Los Angeles jazz clubs. He gained a reputation as an excellent musician and began playing back-up for such singers as
Billie Holiday and Mel Torme. Baxter was briefly signed to RCA Records, but then moved on to Capitol Records were he made a few successful albums. Baxter appeared in several films, including
Untamed Youth (1957) with Eddie Cochran and
Mamie van Doren. Les Baxter and His Orchestra continued appearing live until he died of complications from kidney failure. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide