Les Baxter; Music Arranger, Composer

Les Baxter, 73, who composed more than 250 scores for radio, television and the movies. The 1950s pioneer of orchestral lounge music, he was the music arranger for the Bob Hope and Abbott and Costello radio shows. Baxter’s show business career spanned six decades and his top 10 hits included “Unchained Melody,” recorded by Al Hibbler and the Righteous Brothers, “Poor People of Paris,” “Lisbon Antigua” and “Quiet Village.” His movie credits include scores for films such as “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Man with the X-Ray Eyes” and “Beach Blanket Bingo.” On Monday in Newport Beach.