Elaine Laron, Writer and Lyricist for The Electric Company, More
Laron also wrote songs for the acclaimed special Free to Be ... You and Me, created by Marlo Thomas.
Elaine Laron, a writer and lyricist bets known for her work on the children's programs The Electric Company and Free to Be … You and Me, died June 6, 2013, in Los Angeles. She was 83.
According to news reports, the cause was pneumonia.
Laron, who began her career as a writer of greeting cards, then began writing song lyrics. As a songwriter, collaborated with numerous composers, including Stephen Schwartz, Charles Strouse, Joe Raposo), Ron Dante and Vic Mizzy.
Her songs of note included the anti-Vietnam War anthem "Hell No, I Ain’t Gonna Go," recorded by Matthew Jones, and "The Loving Song," recorded by Greek singer Nana Mouskouri.
Laron got her start in television with the long-running kids' show Captain Kangaroo, which led to a writing job on The Electric Company. She wrote more than 30 songs for the PBS show in its first season in 1971-72.
In 1972 she contributed to Free to Be ... You and Me, a celebration of individuality and diversity conceived by actress-producer Marlo Thomas, that became a record, book and TV movie, which aired in 1974.
Her other TV credits included Tony Orlando and Dawn and the 1973 special The Many Faces of Comedy.
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