Lasting Memories

Cy Coben
1919-May 26, 2006
Atherton, California

Cy Coben, a longtime Atherton resident with a prolific 60-year songwriting career that included the hits "Old Piano Roll Blues" and "I Wanna Play House With You," died unexpectedly May 26 in Redwood City. He was 87.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Mr. Coben was the youngest of six children. He began his music career as a trumpet player, but by his early 20s he was working as a songwriter. His first hit song was recorded by Benny Goodman in 1942.

Mr. Coben served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and resumed his songwriting career upon returning home. He joined ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, in 1947, and was part of the pop songwriting world of Manhattan's Brill Building. He wrote songs recorded by Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, Dinah Shore, Perry Como and Liberace, among others.

He began writing country music songs in the early 1950s, traveling to Nashville with his writing partner, Charles Grean. His early country hits were with Eddy Arnold and include "There's Been a Change in Me."

Mr. Coben wrote songs for many RCA artists, including Hank Snow, Jim Reeves and Connie Smith. H wrote the bluegrass standard, "A Good Woman's Love," first recorded by Bill Monroe in 1957. Other hits included "Red Hot Women and Ice Cold Beer" and the ballad "Nobody's Child," which was recorded by nearly a dozen artists ranging from Hank Snow to the Beatles.

He enjoyed playing tennis nearly every day, traveled regularly to Lake Tahoe and worked on numerous home and garden projects, family members said.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 25 years, Shirley, and by his son Neal. Mr. Coben is survived by his children Gregory Coben of Santa Cruz and Bonnie Coben of Capitola; his companion of 17 years Liane Dozier of Atherton; and four grandchildren.