Wilbur Hatch

Wilbur Hatch (May 24, 1902 - December 22, 1969), was an American music composer who worked primarily in radio and television. He was born in Mokena, Illinois and died in Studio City, California.

He began working in radio in 1922 as a pianist on KYW (Chicago) and moved on to CBS, where he created music for such radio shows as "The Whistler", "Suspense", "Meet Corliss Archer", "My Favorite Husband", "Broadway Is My Beat", "Our Miss Brooks", "The Screen Guild Theater", and "I Love Lucy".

Hatch also worked as a conductor and music director for CBS. During the late 30's and early 40's he was conductor on the "Campbell Soup Radio Show." He was the musical director and composed the theme for CBS Radio's "The Whistler" (1942-1955). Additionally, he was the musical director for CBS Radio's "Broadway Is My Beat" (1949-1954) and "Luke Slaughter of Tombstone" (1958).

His most lasting on-screen television credit was for composing some of the music and conducting the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, on "I Love Lucy." (In one episode, as Ricky is about to sing, he calls offstage to "Mr. Hatch.") He was sole composer for three episodes of "I Love Lucy" (1951-1956), four episodes of "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" (1959-1960), twenty-four episodes of "The Lucy Show" (1964-1967) and all of the "Here's Lucy" (1968) TV Series.

He is buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Altadena, Los Angeles County, California.