Robert Meredith Willson (1902-1984) was born in Mason City, Iowa and had an immensely successful career in the music and entertainment industry as a musician, composer, conductor, arranger, author, and radio personality. While growing up in Mason City, Willson showed great musical promise. After his Mason City High School graduation he went to New York City to study and before long was professionally engaged playing with John Phillip Sousa and then with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. After a stint in the Army, he began working in radio and television. In addition to composing, writing and appearing on television, Willson made concert appearances around the country with his wife Rini, herself a star in the concert, radio and opera business.

Meredith Willson is best remembered for his Broadway musical "The Music Man", for which he wrote the script, lyrics and music. This famous musical was a tribute to his hometown since the fictitious "River City", featured in the Broadway hit, was based on places and people in Mason City. "The Music Man" became one of the five longest running musical plays in Broadway history and won several prestigious awards.   The play has been revived both on Broadway and in the movies - a Walt Disney production of "The Music Man" stars Matthew Roderickand Kristin Chen. The Beatles even capitalized on the success of the musical with their cover of "Till There Was You." 

Willson also wrote symphonies and many hit songs including "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas" and "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You". Other famous works by Willson include two other musicals, "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" and "Here's Love".

Meredith Willson is honored annually at the North Iowa Band Festival while the new $10 million attraction, The Music Man Square and Meredith Willson Boyhood Home in Mason City, stand tribute to his life and his love of music. He will be remembered throughout the world for his famous melodies, but he will live on in Mason City, Iowa as the original "Music Man of River City."

Meredith Willson biographical timeline.