F. Comstock
Frank G. Comstock (September 20, 1922 – May 21, 2013) was a distinguished American composer, arranger, conductor, and trombonist. Born in San Diego, California, Comstock's career spanned from 1939 to 2009, during which he made significant contributions to television, film, and music recordings.
Comstock began his career in music with no formal training, aside from a few trombone lessons. He was encouraged by his junior high school music teacher to write his first arrangements for the school dance band. By high school, he was already selling arrangements to local dance bands in San Diego. His big break came when his high school friend, trumpeter Uan Rasey, recommended him to Sonny Dunham's nationally known dance band, leading to Comstock's first professional arranging job.
He gained prominence as an arranger with Les Brown and His Band of Renown from 1943 to 1955, where his work was credited as a key factor in the band's success. Comstock's collaboration with Doris Day, whom he met during his time with Les Brown, led to a lifelong friendship and professional partnership. His arrangements for Day's Warner Brothers screen tests secured him a staff arranger position at Warner Brothers, where he showcased his talent for writing for large studio orchestras.
Comstock's television work is perhaps best remembered for his theme and incidental music for "Rocky and His Friends" (1959–1964), and his music for "Adam-12" earned him a 1971 Emmy nomination. His recording credits include eight albums with the Hi-Lo's and backing arrangements for major recording stars. His 1962 album "Project: Comstock - Music from Outer Space" became a classic, re-released on CD in 2004. In the later years of his career, Comstock arranged music for Brian Setzer's albums "Wolfgang's Big Night Out" (2007) and "Songs from Lonely Avenue" (2009).
Frank Comstock passed away at the age of 90 in Huntington Beach, California, leaving behind a legacy of influential work across multiple facets of the music industry.