Marvin Hamlisch Dead At 68

Los Angeles, CA (WIBX) - "Music can make a difference," was the mantra of Marvin Hamlisch, words to live by, even more poignant since the composer's passing announced earlier today.

Popularly known for his nerdy look and appearances on "Saturday Night Live," Hamlisch composed the scores for more than forty movies.  He won three Academy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Tony, three Golden Globes, four Grammy Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize for "A Chorus Line."

He was the principal pops conductor for symphony orchestras in Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Dallas, Pasadena, Seattle, and San Diego.  The Philadelphia Orchestra was scheduled to accord him the same honor later this year, and he was to conduct the New Year's Eve concert of the New York Philharmonic.

According to Hamlisch's website he was working on a new musical called "Gotta Dance," and writing the music for a movie about Liberace starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon.

Hamlisch was just 68 and died yesterday after an undisclosed illness.