[MUSIC] Milton Ebbins (1912–2008) Film executive, songwriter ("Yale Blues", "Basic Boogie") and composer. Ebbins helped produce JFK’s 1961 Inaugural Ball and the subsequent 1962 JFK Anniversary Gala. In May of 1962, Ebbins escorted a very late Marilyn Monroe to Madison Square Garden where she famously — and breathlessly — sang “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.” He was also the man that Lawford called after speaking to Monroe the night of her death in August of 1962. Ebbins was one of the few allowed inside the White House after the JFK assassination. As the link between Washington and Hollywood, Ebbins helped Kennedy family patriarch and former ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy navigate through the movie business, not only keeping him apprised of his son-in-law’s career moves but at one point advising him against purchasing United Artists’ movie studio. At the time of his death, Ebbins was working with his friend, actor Bill Paxton, on an HBO project about the Kennedy assassination. Ebbins music career began in 1936, he formed his own orchestra, then became music director at CBS, and went to New York in 1938, joining an advertising agency's radio department. He also had been a road manager for the Jack Jenny and Count Basie orchestras, and then a personal manager. He left his career as bandleader and became a talent manager, rising to become one of Hollywood’s top personal managers, guiding the careers of Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstine and singer Vic Damone. Because of Ebbins’ musical background and his adeptness at arranging scores, he had a knack for picking hit songs for his clients. He also represented actresses Elizabeth Montgomery and Patty Duke, comedian Mort Sahl and actor Peter Lawford, who Ebbins managed for 35 years. TLS, 1963, 1p. Plus TLS, 1963, to Ebbins from Phil Fischer, American Federation of Musicians. Two letters.

VG