Hugo Montenegro

Hugo Mario Montenegro (September 2, 1925 – February 6, 1981) was an American orchestra leader and composer of film soundtracks. His best-known work is interpretations of the music from Spaghetti Westerns, especially his cover version of Ennio Morricone's main theme from the 1966 film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He composed the score for the 1969 Western Charro!, which starred Elvis Presley. He also wrote for various television series, most notably the theme to "I Dream of Jeannie"

Biography Montenegro was born in New York City in 1925. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years, mostly as an arranger for the Newport Naval Base band in Newport, Rhode Island. After the war he attended Manhattan College while studying composition and leading his own band for school dances. No. 3 in the Canadian RPM Magazine charts, and spending four weeks atop the UK Singles Chart in 1968. It sold over one and a quarter million copies and was awarded a gold disc.

His version of the main theme from Hang 'em High reached No. 59 in Canada. In 1968, his hit "Aces High" placed at No. 11 on the Billboard Year-End Chart of the Top Hits of 1968.

In the late 1970s severe emphysema forced an end to his musical career, and he died of the disease in 1981. He is buried at Welwood Murray Cemetery in Palm Springs, California. Come Spy with Me - RCA Victor LSP-3540 - 1966 More Music From The Man From U.N.C.L.E. – RCA Victor LSP-3574 – 1966 Music From Camelot – Mainstream Records S/6101 – 1967 Hurry Sundown (Original Soundtrack) – RCA Victor – LSO 1133 – 1967 Montenegro Brand - 20th Century Fox Records 1967 Music From A Fistful Of Dollars, For A Few Dollars More & The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – RCA Victor LSP-3927 – 1968 (No. 9 US)

Digital releases Moog Power – BMG Music (Spain) – 1998 Mammy Blue – BMG Music (Spain) – 1999 Love Theme From The Godfather – BMG Music (Spain) – 1999 Hugo In Wonder-Land – BMG Music (Spain) – 2000 Neil's Diamonds Fashioned By Hugo Montenegro – BMG Music (Spain) – 2002 Colours Of Love – Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Philippines) – 2008 Boogie Woogie Bongos – Smith & Co – 2012 Cha Chas For Dancing – Time Records – Series 2000 – 2014Source: