Michael Zager (born January 3, 1943)[1] is an American record producer, composer, and arranger of original music for commercials, albums, network television, and theme music for films. He teaches music at Florida Atlantic University.[2] Zager was a member of jazz rock band Ten Wheel Drive from 1968 to 1973.[3]
In 1978, the Michael Zager Band had a popular disco anthem with "Let's All Chant".[5]
Between 1979 and 1981, Zager composed new bridges for the Spinners' cover versions of three 1960s and 1970s hits, each of which was billed as a medley with the original hit:[6]
"I've Loved You for a Long Time", paired with a cover of Sam Cooke's "Cupid," from the 1980 album Love Trippin' – (No. 4 US Hot 100 in July–August 1980; No. 4 UK)
"Nothing Remains the Same", paired with a cover of the Carpenters' "Yesterday Once More," from the 1981 album Labor of Love – (No. 52 US Hot 100 in March 1981; did not chart in the UK)
He holds the positions of the Dorothy F. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in Performing Arts and professor of music at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.[2]
He is the author of Writing Music for Television and Radio Commercials (A Manual for Composers and Students) published by Scarecrow Press,[8] and Music Production: For Producers, Composers, Arrangers, and Students, also published by Scarecrow Press.[9]
^Zager, Michael (2003). Writing Music for Television and Radio Commercials: A Manual for Composers and Students (illustrated ed.). Scarecrow Press. ISBN9780810847224.
^Zager, Michael (2012). Music Production: For Producers, Composers, Arrangers, and Students (illustrated ed.). Scarecrow Press. ISBN9780810882010.
