Charles Strouse’s music has attracted top recording artists from the last half century with covers of his songs recorded by such diverse pop artists as Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Harry Connick Jr., Bobby Rydell, Jay Z, Vic Damone, Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Grace Jones and Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.

Strouse has written the score to over 30 stage musicals, 14 scores for Broadway, four Hollywood films, two orchesteral works, and an opera. He’s produced such hit songs as “Put on a Happy Face,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” and the fan anthem “We Love You Conrad.” He has been inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Theatre Hall of Fame. He is a three-time Tony Award winner, two time Emmy Award winner, and his cast recordings have earned him two Grammy awards. His song “Those Were The Days” launched over 200 episodes of All in the Family and continues to reach new generations of television audiences in syndication. With hundreds of productions liscensed annually, his musicals Annie and Bye Bye Birdie are among the most popular musicals of all time produced by regional, amateur, and school groups all over the world.

The Paley Center for Media celebrates Strouse’s 80th birthday and the publishing of his book, Put on a Happy Face, in this special conversation with Strouse himself.