Hugo Mario Montenegro (September 2, 1925 – February 6, 1981) was an American orchestra leader and composer of film soundtracks. His best-known work is interpretations of the music from Spaghetti Westerns, especially his cover version of Ennio Morricone's main theme from the 1966 film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. He composed the score for the 1969 Western Charro!, which starred Elvis Presley. He also wrote for various television series, most notably the theme to "I Dream of Jeannie"

Biography

Montenegro was born in New York City in 1925. He served in the U.S. Navy for two years, mostly as an arranger for the Newport Naval Base band in Newport, Rhode Island. After the war he attended Manhattan College while studying composition and leading his own band for school dances. No. 3 in the Canadian RPM Magazine charts, and spending four weeks atop the UK Singles Chart in 1968. It sold over one and a quarter million copies and was awarded a gold disc.

His version of the main theme from Hang 'em High reached No. 59 in Canada. In 1968, his hit "Aces High" placed at No. 11 on the Billboard Year-End Chart of the Top Hits of 1968.

In the late 1970s severe emphysema forced an end to his musical career, and he died of the disease in 1981. He is buried at Welwood Murray Cemetery in Palm Springs, California.

  • Come Spy with Me - RCA Victor LSP-3540 - 1966
  • More Music From The Man From U.N.C.L.E. – RCA Victor LSP-3574 – 1966
  • Music From Camelot – Mainstream Records S/6101 – 1967
  • Hurry Sundown (Original Soundtrack) – RCA Victor – LSO 1133 – 1967
  • Montenegro Brand - 20th Century Fox Records 1967
  • Music From A Fistful Of Dollars, For A Few Dollars More & The Good, The Bad And The Ugly – RCA Victor LSP-3927 – 1968 (No. 9 US)

Digital releases

  • Moog Power – BMG Music (Spain) – 1998
  • Mammy Blue – BMG Music (Spain) – 1999
  • Love Theme From The Godfather – BMG Music (Spain) – 1999
  • Hugo In Wonder-Land – BMG Music (Spain) – 2000
  • Neil's Diamonds Fashioned By Hugo Montenegro – BMG Music (Spain) – 2002
  • Colours Of Love – Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Philippines) – 2008
  • Boogie Woogie Bongos – Smith & Co – 2012
  • Cha Chas For Dancing – Time Records – Series 2000 – 2014Source: