John Cacavas obit

Composer John Cacavas dies at 83

He was not on the list.

As a youngster in Aberdeen, John Cacavas had his own band when he was 14. By the time he was 21, he’d written an oratorio with future CBS newsman Charles Osgood.

Before his career was over, Cacavas had scored more than 400 one-hour TV shows, 50 television movies and 15 feature films. His friendship with actor Telly Savalas helped Cacavas get involved in the movie business. Cacavas worked on Savalas’ TV series, “Kojak,” for five years and “Hawaii Five-O” for three.

Cacavas’ life, which began in Aberdeen in 1930, ended Tuesday at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. The composer, conductor and arranger was 83.

“It’s been a slow decline for some time” but the decline had gone faster the past few months, said his wife, Bonnie, also an Aberdeen native.

Her husband was not in pain, she reported, explaining it was just simply that “things were not working.”

Bonnie said her husband was an amazing man, an amazing husband and a creative force.

“He made life bigger than life,” she said.

“(He) didn’t have just one talent … His talents were diverse and widespread,” said his wife, pointing out that he was a gifted musician, conductor, composer, artist, painter, chef and writer of books.

The obituary written by the family refers to Cacavas as a “Greek Renaissance man.”

The only service will be an open house in California, which will be attended by members of some of the associations to which Cacavas belonged, such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Cacavas acquired his passion for food and cooking in Aberdeen, where his father owned a restaurant. He graduated from Aberdeen Central in 1948. His wife graduated three years later.

After graduating from Northwestern University, Cacavas served in the U.S. Army Band as chief arranger. There he met Osgood, who was serving as band announcer. The oratorio they wrote, “The Conversation of Paul,” was performed nationally. 

Cacavas then won two Freedom Foundation Awards, one of which was for “Gallant Men,” also written with Osgood. The piece won an Emmy award and led to an album narrated by Sen. Everett Dirksen.

After marrying Bonnie Becker, they moved to Connecticut, where Cacavas became director of publications for Chappell, a music publishing company. In that capacity, he worked with Richard Rodgers, Ira Gershwin, Lotte Lenya and other music figures.

The family, which now included three children, moved to London after a chance meeting with Savalas. The actor opened the door to movies in Europe, and, in return, Cacavas arranged, conducted and produced an album with the actor that went to No. 1 in Europe. A lifelong friendship developed.

“Kojak” had two theme songs. Cacavas wrote the second one. For “Hawaii Five-O,” Cacavas didn’t write the show’s famous theme song, but he composed music for many episodes.

His original songs have been featured on “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Friends” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”

In addition, Cacavas spent much of his time with live orchestral concerts, conducting, composing and arranging music for the stage.

“He conducted from the halls of Monte Carlo to the Academy Awards in Hollywood and to the local public schools in South Dakota, all with equal enjoyment,” according to his obituary.

He also became the official conductor for the Beverly Hills Pops Orchestra.

During the last few years, Cacavas and famed lyricist Hal David collaborated on five albums for production libraries they produced and recorded in Prague and London.

He wrote two textbooks on film scoring, two novels and a memoir.

The couple had three children, all of whom live in Southern California. Daughter Jennifer Cacavas Krutilek and son John both work in the motion picture industry. Daughter Lisa Stewart is a jewelry designer. 

Donations for the John Cacavas Memorial may be made in his honor to the Aberdeen Public School Foundation, 1224 Third St., Aberdeen, SD 57401.