Ronald Steven Altbach (December 24, 1946 – February 21, 2023) was an American keyboardist and songwriter who co-founded French-American rock band
King Harvest
King Harvest was a 1970s French- American rock band who formed initially in Ithaca, New York, but broke up and reformed in Paris where they began recording their first songs. They are known for their 1972 hit single "Dancing in the Moonlight ...
,
and played the Wurlitzer electric piano intro on their single "
Dancing in the Moonlight
"Dancing in the Moonlight" is a song written by Sherman Kelly, originally recorded in 1970 by Kelly's band Boffalongo, and then a hit single by King Harvest in 1972, reaching number 5 in Canada and number 13 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. In 200 ...
" (1973).
He later became a session keyboardist for
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band that formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Distinguished by the ...
and penned songs for the group.
Altbach was a member of
Celebration, a group led by Beach Boys co-founder
Mike Love
Michael Edward Love (born March 15, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter who co-founded the Beach Boys with his cousins Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson and their friend Al Jardine. Characterized by his nasal tenor and occasional bas ...
.
In 1979, Altbach played keyboards in the band Clean Athletic & Talented (C.A.T.); the band, including John Huff, recorded an album.
Altbach's contributions to the Beach Boys include co-producing ''
M.I.U. Album'' (1978)
and co-writing songs such as "Belles of Paris", "She's Got Rhythm",
and "
Alone on Christmas Day".
Altbach died on February 21, 2023, at the age of 76.
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Altbach, Ron
1946 births
2023 deaths
20th-century pianists
21st-century pianists
Cornell University alumni