Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke Parks (born January 3, 1943) is an American composer, arranger, record producer, instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, author, and actor. Parks is best known for his collaborations with musician Brian Wilson and for his contributions as lyricist to the Beach Boys' Smile project. Besides numerous collaborations with the Beach Boys, he has worked with such performers as Phil Ochs, Donovan, Haruomi Hosono, the Byrds, Tim Buckley, Arlo Guthrie, Little Feat, Loudon Wainwright III, Rufus Wainwright, U2, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Ry Cooder, Joanna Newsom, Grizzly Bear, Inara George, Silverchair, Kimbra, and Ringo Starr.