Edwin H. ‘Buddy’ Morris; Founded Music Publishing Firm

Edwin H. “Buddy” Morris, 89, music publisher who owned the rights to such classics as “Autumn Leaves” and “Stormy Weather.” A native of Pittsburgh, Morris began his career with Warner Bros. Pictures, where he established a music publishing division. In 1940, he founded Edwin H. Morris & Co., which he operated until 1976, when he sold it to Paul McCartney. Morris’ stable of songwriters included Ira Gershwin, Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne, Jimmy Van Husen and Johnny Mercer. Among the hit songs Morris published were “Tenderly,” “Sentimental Journey,” “Canadian Sunset,” “Basin Street Blues,” “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” “The Christmas Song,” “The Man That Got Away,” “One for My Baby,” and “Prisoner of Love.” Later popular songs published by Morris included “Witchcraft,” “Mister Sandman” and “Born to Be With You.” Also associated with musical theater, Morris published such Broadway musicals as “Guys & Dolls,” “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” “Bye, Bye Birdie,” “Hello Dolly,” “Mame,” “Grease,” “A Chorus Line” and “Annie.” On April 1 in Thousand Oaks.