Milt Gabler (May 20, 1911 – July 20, 2001) was a pioneering American record producer and songwriter, renowned for his significant contributions to the music industry in the 20th century. Born in Harlem, New York, to a Jewish family, Gabler's early exposure to music came through his family's radio store, which he transformed into the Commodore Music Shop. This establishment became a hub for jazz enthusiasts and musicians.

In the mid-1930s, Gabler began dealing in record reissues, becoming the first to sell records by mail order and to credit all musicians on recordings. He founded the United Hot Clubs of America (UHCA) and later Commodore Records, where he recorded leading jazz artists and released Billie Holiday's iconic "Strange Fruit" in 1939.

Gabler joined Decca Records in 1941, where he produced numerous hits across various genres, including "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets. As a songwriter, he penned lyrics for standards like "In a Mellow Tone," "Danke Schoen," and "L-O-V-E." His work earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Gabler's legacy is celebrated through a CD tribute produced by his nephew, Billy Crystal.