Hal Shaper

Harold David Shaper (18 July 1931 – 8 January 2004), known as Hal Shaper, was a South African songwriter. After qualifying as a lawyer in 1955, he travelled to London to begin his five-decade-long musical career during which he worked with and wrote for well-known artists including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand and David Bowie. After establishing financial stability following the release of his first hit Softly, As I Leave You, he began his own music publishing company, Sparta Florida Inc.. Aside from song titles and lyrics, Shaper also wrote for films as well as musicals.

Biography Shaper was born on 18 July 1931 in Muizenberg near Cape Town as the third and youngest child of Jewish parents. His father was from Manchester and his mother from the ghetto of Lodz in Poland. He was inspired to become a songwriter after seeing the Mickey Rooney film Words and Music (1948), saying: he was "enchanted by the quality of the songs and the freshness of them" In 1949 Hal met young pianist and budding songwriter, Charles Segal who was holidaying in Muizenberg. Charles encouraged Hal to write his first lyrics for one of Charles's songs - "I Never Loved Before", beginning a musical collaboration and friendship that spanned many decades. Young Charles introduced young Hal to one of Charles's well-established lyricists, Anton De Waal. Encouraged by his friend, Charles Segal, Hal gained confidence and other songs soon followed (I Got Troubles of My Own", "I'll Never Dream Again", "Tanganyika" and many others). Hal's initial attempts at musical theatre were performed in local theatres; his professional songwriting career did not begin until later. In 1955, Shaper was certified as a lawyer in Cape Town. However, he did not pursue a career in law but rather left immediately for London in seek of a songwriting career. After returning to South Africa, he wrote La Bohème Noire, a stage musical adaptation of La Bohème' set in contemporary Soweto.

Shaper married twice, first to Susan from 1972 to 1989 with whom he had a daughter, Hollie; and later to Pippa in 1990 with whom he had four children: Jack, Pia, Harry and Lucy. Hal Shaper died in Cape Town on 8 January 2004 at the age of 72.

Songs I Still See You (from the film "The Go-Between", music by Michel Legrand.) My Friend, My Friend ("Stasera", music by Domenico Modugno) Softly, as I Leave You (as John Harris) ("Piano", music by Antonio De Vita.) The Mysterious People ("Det Gatfulla Folket", music by Beppe Wolgers and Olle Adolphson) Interlude (from the film "Interlude", music by Georges Delerue) It's a Long Road (end credits theme from "First Blood", music by Jerry Goldsmith, sung by Dan Hill) Martina ("Les Enfants Qui Pleurent", music by Michel Legrand) Sea and Sky (from the film "A Time for Loving", music by Michel Legrand), sung by Dusty Springfield My Friend the Sea ("Au Bord De L'eau", music by George Petilas)