Composer and Lyricist Billy Barnes Has Died

Broadway composer and lyricist Billy Barnes died in his home in Los Angeles on September 24 at the age of 85, according to published reports.

Barnes’ work included satirical revues, comedy writing, and musical standards such as Barbra Streisand’s “Too Long at the Fair” and June Christy’s “Something Cool.” He received Emmy nominations for his work on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, The Danny Kaye Show, the Goldie Hawn special Pure Goldie, and the variety series Cher.

In addition, The Billy Barnes Revue, which opened in Hollywood in 1958, played on Broadway for 87 performances in 1959 and was followed by the Broadway production of The Billy Barnes People in 1961.

Barnes is survived by his son Tyler and partner Richard T. Jordan.