One year ago: Aaron Schroeder

Aaron Schroeder was a songwriter, independent music publisher and record producer who co-wrote 17 songs for Elvis Presley. He died one year ago at age 83.

Schroeder co-wrote five No. 1 songs for Presley, including "Stuck on You," "Good Luck Charm," "A Big Hunk o' Love," "I Got Stung" and "It's Now or Never."

In addition to Presley, he also wrote songs for artists such as Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Barry White, Johnny Duncan and Tony Bennett.

Schroeder went into the music publishing business in the 1960s. He launched Musicor Records, which had its biggest success with Gene Pitney. Schroeder produced his early hits, including "Only Love Can Break a Heart" and "Town Without Pity."

Schroeder sold Musicor records in 1965 so he could spend more time working one-on-one with artists.

"He was dedicated to helping young writers succeed," said his wife, Amy. "We'd be their publishers and support them. Aaron groomed them and spent a lot of time teaching them the art and the craft of writing."

As a hobby, Schroeder collected cast iron and tin mechanical and still banks and toys, managing to amass one of the world's largest collections of such things by the end of his life.

For more, read Aaron Schroeder's obituary by The Times' Dennis McLellan.

-- Michael Farr

Photo: Aaron Schroeder