Paul Leka, a Songwriter of ‘Na Na Hey Hey,’ Dies at 68

[The Straight Story]

Paul Leka, a Songwriter of ‘Na Na Hey Hey,’ Dies at 68

Paul Leka, a songwriter and producer who worked with many recording stars but who was best known for writing the chanting chorus of “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye),” a No. 1 hit in 1969 that was reborn in the 1970s as a sports arena anthem, died on Oct. 12 in a hospice near his home in Sharon, Conn. He was 68.

The cause was lung cancer, said his brother, George.

Mr. Leka made his name in the Tin Pan Alley tradition, writing or arranging songs for other people. He wrote and produced “Green Tambourine,” a No. 1 hit in 1967 for the psychedelic soft-rock band the Lemon Pipers; signed REO Speedwagon to its first record contract; and produced four of Harry Chapin’s albums, including 1974’s “Verities & Balderdash” containing the song that was Chapin’s lone No. 1 hit, “Cat’s in the Cradle.”

In 1969, Mr. Leka was helping a longtime friend from Bridgeport, Conn., Gary DeCarlo, fill the B-side of a single he was recording for Buddah. With Mr. Leka on keyboards, they started with a song they had written years before, a bluesy shuffle called “Kiss Him Goodbye.” But it filled only two minutes of playing time, and to make sure disc jockeys would not play it — instead of Mr. DeCarlo’s A-side — they decided to add a chorus to stretch it to four minutes, beyond the time limit of most radio formats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/23/arts/music/paul-leka-a-songwriter-of-na-na-hey-hey-dies-at-68.html?_r=1

[DeSwiss]

1. K&R n/t

[Nye Bevan]

2. I wonder what they'll play at his funeral? (nt)

[Ohio Joe]

3. RIP - nt

[Blue Owl]

4. I'll always think of Bu$h flying away in Jan. '09 when I hear that song

What a great day that was...