Arthur Terence Galt MacDermot, born on December 18, 1928, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, was a distinguished composer and pianist renowned for his contributions to musical theater, jazz, funk, and classical music. He was the son of Canadian diplomat Terence MacDermot and Elizabeth Savage. Galt MacDermot's formal education included studies at Upper Canada College, Bishop's University in Quebec, and Cape Town University in South Africa, where he specialized in African music. He also studied piano privately with Neil Chotem.

MacDermot's career took a significant turn when he moved to New York City in 1964. Three years later, he composed the music for the groundbreaking musical "Hair," which became a cultural phenomenon and was later adapted into a successful 1979 film. The Broadway cast album of "Hair" won a Grammy Award in 1969, and the musical produced several hit singles, including "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," "Good Morning Starshine," and the title song "Hair."

In addition to "Hair," MacDermot achieved success with the musical "Two Gentlemen of Verona" in 1971, which won the Tony Award for Best Musical. He was also known for his work on film soundtracks, including "Cotton Comes to Harlem" and "Rhinoceros," and for forming the New Pulse Jazz Band in 1979.

MacDermot's music has been widely sampled by hip-hop artists, reflecting his enduring influence across genres. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009 and received the SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. Galt MacDermot passed away on December 17, 2018, in Staten Island, New York, leaving behind a rich legacy of innovative and influential music.