Ben Okano was born in 1927, He joined the Sankei Press in 1951, working as a music correspondent, after his graduation from the University. He has been to the United States, the Soviet Union and many European countries with the purpose of covering and reporting various music events as a reporter.
In 1971, after his resignation from the Sankei, he was appointed to the position of president in a jointstock company with Billboard Publications Inc. U.S.A. In 1981, he became a publisher-advisor of Music Labs Inc. Mr. Okano also served as an executive director of the International Friendship Association in Japan.
Mr. Okano was also a judge for the International Contest of Tokyo Music Festival and The World Song Festival in America.
He is now serving as a director of the MEMF, Minoru Endoh Music Foundation.
Hal David
"Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head", "Close to You", "I'll Never Fall in Love Again", "Do You Know the Way to San Jose", "Walk on By", "What The World Needs Now is Love", "To All the Girls I've Loved Before", "Alfie", and "The Look of Love". These are just some of the timeless standards written by lyricist Hal David.
Hal David has been honored for his way with words with every major award bestowed by the music industry, including 20 gold records, a Grammy, the NARM Presidential Award and the B Nai B' rith Creative Achievement Award. He has also been elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame and has been presented with their coveted Johnny Mercer Award. Just recently, Mr. David was awarded the prestigious Grammy Trustees Award by the NARAS organization, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
His Broadway show "Promises, Promises" received a Grammy, and was nominated for a Tony Award. The Encore Series recently showcased "Promises, Promises" at the City Center - prompting a new song to be written for the show and successfully bringing together Hal David and his collaborator Burt Bacharach, after many years.
His work is quoted in "Bartlett's Familiar Quotations", and the book of his lyrics, "What the World Needs Now and Other Love Lyrics", was published by Simon and Schuster. The Jeffrey Ballet features two of Mr. David's songs, "Make it Easy on Yourself" and "There's Always Something There to Remind Me" in its production of "Love Songs", which is in its permanent repertoire.
Lincoln College bestowed a Doctor of Music degree on Mr. David in 1991 for his major contribution to American music. His civic and charitable activities included The New York City Food Bank, the Artist's Committee for Kennedy Center Honors, and the Los Angeles Music Center, of which he is a founder. He is a member of Board of Governors of Cedars Sinai Medical Center, as well as the Board of Directors of ASCAP, having formerly served as its President. He also serves in an advisory capacity to the Society of Singers.
