Bernard Alfred "Jack" Nitzsche, born on April 22, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, was a multifaceted American musician known for his work as a composer, arranger, songwriter, and record producer. Raised in Newaygo, Michigan, Nitzsche moved to Los Angeles in 1955 with aspirations of becoming a jazz saxophonist. He began his career as a music copyist at Specialty Records under Sonny Bono and soon made a name for himself with the novelty hit "Bongo Bongo Bongo."

Nitzsche's collaboration with Phil Spector in the early 1960s was pivotal, as he orchestrated the Wall of Sound for many of Spector's hits, including "River Deep, Mountain High" by Ike and Tina Turner. He also worked with prominent musicians in The Wrecking Crew and contributed to the success of artists like the Beach Boys and the Monkees. His instrumental "The Lonely Surfer" became a Top 40 hit in 1963.

Nitzsche's association with the Rolling Stones began in 1964, playing keyboards and arranging choral parts for several of their albums and hit singles, such as "Paint It, Black" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want." He also introduced the band to slide guitarist Ry Cooder, influencing their style in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

In addition to his work in rock and pop, Nitzsche was a prolific film composer, scoring nearly three dozen movies, including "Performance," "The Exorcist," and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." His collaboration with Neil Young was significant, starting with "Expecting to Fly" by Buffalo Springfield and continuing with Young's solo projects.

Nitzsche's songwriting prowess was highlighted by his co-writing of "Needles and Pins" with Sonny Bono, a hit for Jackie DeShannon and later the Searchers. He also co-wrote the Academy Award-winning song "Up Where We Belong" with Buffy Sainte-Marie in 1983.

Jack Nitzsche passed away on August 25, 2000, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy as a key figure in the development of rock and pop music, as well as film scoring. His innovative contributions spanned over four decades, influencing countless artists and shaping the sound of an era.