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Photo of Don Kirshner

Photo: Rogers, Cowan & Brenner, Beverly Hills-publicity / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Don Kirshner

American record producer

April 17, 1934 – January 17, 2011 · New York City, New York, United States

  • New York
  • record producer
  • songwriter
  • composer

Don Kirshner was a record producer, songwriter and composer. Born on April 17, 1934, Don Kirshner was from New York City, New York, United States. Death is recorded on January 17, 2011, at the age of 76. Schooling on record includes Upsala College. Recorded honors include Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2012).

My Take

Don Kirshner is one of those names casual listeners overlook, yet his fingerprints are all over twentieth-century pop. Dubbed "the Man with the Golden Ear," he shaped the Monkees, the Archies, and Kansas, working behind the scenes to assemble and direct talent rather than chase the spotlight himself. I have enormous respect for that role, because hits are engineered as much as they are performed, and the architect rarely gets the applause. His 2012 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame felt like overdue recognition for a star-maker. To me, Kirshner proves that vision and curation can be as creative as any song.

1. Profile

Name (English)
Don Kirshner
Name (Japanese)
ドン・カーシュナー
Reading
どん・かーしゅなー
Born
April 17, 1934 – January 17, 2011
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
Aries / Dog
Origin
New York City, New York, United States
Occupation
record producer / songwriter / composer / talent manager

2. Background

University
Upsala College

Awards & achievements

  • 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

4. About this entry

Tags

  • New York
  • record producer
  • songwriter
  • composer
Last updated
2026-06-21

Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.

Frequently asked questions

When was Don Kirshner born?

Born April 17, 1934.

When did Don Kirshner die?

Died January 17, 2011, aged 76.

Where was Don Kirshner from?

Don Kirshner was from New York City, New York, United States.

What did Don Kirshner do?

Don Kirshner worked as record producer, songwriter, composer, talent manager.

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