Milton DeLugg was an influential American musician, composer, arranger, and musical director, born on December 2, 1918, in Los Angeles, California. He passed away on April 6, 2015, at the age of 96. DeLugg's musical journey began with piano training, but he later became renowned for his skills with the accordion, a gift from his father that led him to jazz. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles, and served in the Radio Production Unit of the US Army Air Force during World War II.

DeLugg's post-war career was marked by his work as an arranger, composer, and bandleader. He was involved in radio programs like "School Days of the Air" and "The Abe Burrows Show," and his compositions include popular songs such as "Orange Colored Sky," "Hoop Dee Doo," and "The Happy Wanderer." His tune "Roller Coaster" was notably used as the closing theme for the panel show "What's My Line?".

In television, DeLugg was the musical director for NBC's "Broadway Open House," a precursor to "The Tonight Show," and he briefly served as the musical director for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." He had a long association with Chuck Barris, working on shows like "The Newlywed Game" and "The Gong Show." DeLugg was also active in the recording industry, producing Buddy Holly's single "Rave On!" in 1958.

Throughout his career, DeLugg collaborated with various artists and contributed to numerous film soundtracks and Broadway shows. He was married to Anne Delugg from 1946 until her death in 2002, and they had two children together. Milton DeLugg's legacy in the music industry is marked by his versatility and contributions across multiple platforms.