Hugo Montenegro

Biography

Hugo Montenegro was born in New York City. He attended Manhattan College while studying composition and leading his own band for school dances. He was later hired by Time Records as a musical director producing a series of albums for the label, and moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s where he began working for RCA records, producing a series of albums and soundtracks for motion pictures and television themes, such as the second theme for “I Dream of Jeannie.” During the mid‑60's he started producing some of the most renowned works from the space age pop era, featuring electronics and rock in albums such as Moog Power and Mammy Blue.

Montenegro's electronic works were decisive and influential for the future generations of electronic musicians, giving a retro/futuristic edge by the use of the Moog synthesizer, and helped to push its popularity. He will be also remembered by his versions of classics such as Ennio Morricone's The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

In the late 1970s severe emphysema put an end to his musical career, and he died 6 February 1981, Palm Springs, California.

Recordings

• Loves of My Life, 1957
• Hugo Montenegro, Ellington Fantasy, Vik LP
• Velvet Violins, Lush and Lovely, Movietone MTS 2008
• The Montenegro Brand, 20th Century Fox ST-91522
• Bongs and Brass, Time Series 2000 S/2014
• Cha Chas for Dancing, Time Series 2000 S/2018
• Boogie Woogie Bongos, Time Series 2000 S/2020
• Arriba!, Time Series 2000 S/2030
• Overture ... American Musical Theatre, Vol. 1: 1924-1935, Time S/2035
• Overture ... American Musical Theatre, Vol. 1: 1935-1945, Time S/2036
• Overture ... American Musical Theatre, Vol. 1: 1946-1952, Time S/2037
• Overture ... American Musical Theatre, Vol. 1: 1953-1960, Time S/2038
• Great Songs from Motion Pictures Vol. 1, Time S/2044
• Great Songs from Motion Pictures Vol. 2, Time S/2045
• Great Songs from Motion Pictures Vol. 3, Time S/2046
• In Italy, Time S/2051
• Hugo Montenegro and His Orchestra, Time S/2062
• Country and Western, Time S/2071
• Bold Brass Broadway, Time S/2139
• Black Velvet, Time S/2196
• Mira!, Mainstream S/6092)
• Montenegro Magic (2 LP set), Mainstream SOBO 91646
• In a Sentimental Mood, RCA Camden CAS-729
• Hurry Sundown, RCA Victor LOC 1133
• Russian Grandeur, RCA LPM-2902/LSP-2902
• The Young Beat of Rome, RCA Victor LSP-2958, 1964
• Candy's Theme and Other Sweets, RCA Victor LSP-3332, 1965
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E., RCA Victor LSP 3475
• Come Spy With Me, RCA Victor LSP 3540
• More from The Man from U.N.C.L.E., RCA Victor LSP 3574
• Others by Brothers, RCA Victor LSP 3784
• Music from "A Fistful of Dollars" and "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly," RCA Victor LSP 3927
• Hang 'Em High, RCA Victor, Stereo LSP-4022
• Moog Power, RCA Victor LSP-4170
• Good Vibrations, RCA Victor LSP-4104 (1969)
• Lady in Cement (soundtrack), 20th Century Fox S4204
• Colours of Love, RCA Victor LSP-4273
• Music from the Comedy Hit, "Viva Max!", RCA Victor LSP-3927
• The Best of Hugo Montenegro, RCA Victor LSP-4361
• Dawn of Dylan, 1970
• People ...One to One, RCA Victor LSP-4537 (1971)
• This is Hugo Montenegro, RCA Victor VPS-6036 (1971)
• Mammy Blue, RCA Victor LSP-4631 (1972)
• Love Theme From The Godfather, RCA APD1-0001
• Hugo in Wonderland, RCA Victor APD1-0413
• Neil's Diamonds, 1973
• Hugo in Wonder-land, 1974
• Rocket Man [Elton John covers], 1975