WILLIS, Elizabeth Firestone

Elizabeth Firestone Willis (1922-1989) was the granddaughter of the founder of Firestone Tires, Harvey S. Firestone. Like her companions in this write-up, Willis made a name for herself on her own, with a long list of accomplishments.

After starting in composing for children’s broadcasting, Willis went on to write original jazz compositions, popular music, classical works, and even several film scores. She performed in person and on television and radio with the London Symphony, Mel Torme, B.B. King, Lionel Hampton, and others. In collaboration with Hampton, she composed “The George Bush Election Theme” for President George H. W. Bush, which was not her first foray into presidential election music.