Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke Parks is an American composer, arranger, producer, and musician. He is best known for his collaborations with the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, and Harry Nilsson. Parks has released numerous solo albums and has worked with a range of artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr, U2, and Rufus Wainwright.

Parks's debut solo album, Song Cycle, was released in 1968 and is widely regarded as a classic of the psychedelic era. The album was praised for its ambitious arrangements and eclectic influences, which included blues, gospel, and classical music. Other standout albums include Discover America (1972), Clang of the Yankee Reaper (1975), Tokyo Rose (1981), and Orange Crate Art (1995).

Some of Parks's most popular songs include "The All Golden", "Wall Street", "The Attic", and "The All-American Boys". He is also known for writing the lyrics to the iconic Beach Boys song "Heroes and Villains".

An interesting fact about Van Dyke Parks is that he is an avid collector of vintage toys and has a personal collection of over 10,000 items.