Dory Previn Shannon Has Died

Award-winning songwriter, librettist, author, and performer Dory Previn Shannon died on Tuesday February 14 in Massachusetts. She was 86 years old.

Her many compositions included the one-woman play with songs Schixo-Phren, The Magic Number, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic, and August 6, 1945, which was presented at the Mark Taper Forum.

Among her best-known songs are “The Theme from Valley of the Dolls,” “Come Saturday Morning,” “You’re Gonna Hear From Me,” and “We’ll Win This World,” which earned her an Emmy Award.

She recorded numerous albums, including On My Way to Where, Mythical Kings and Iguanas, Reflections in a Mud Puddle, Live at Carnegie Hall, Mary C. Brown and the Hollywood Sign, and We’re Children of Coincidence, and authored many books and short stories.

Among the theatrical revues devoted to her songs were Dory Previn-Lady With a Braid, Hunky Dory, and Dory-A Musical Portrait.

She is survived by her husband, Joby Baker.