- He composed practically all the music heard on The Simpsons except the theme. With lyrics provided by the show's writers, he came up with the music for songs including See My Vest, We Do (The Stonecutters Song), and a musical version of Planet of the Apes. (He had been a music copyist - preparing parts for the musicians - on the original "Planet of the Apes" movie in 1968.).
- He studied mechanical engineering at North Dakota State University, but switched to music after a summer he spent in New York City, seeing Broadway musicals. He studied composition at Berklee College of Music in Boston, receiving a second bachelor's degree.
- He took piano lessons, played the French horn and double bass, and sang in his high school choir.
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