Lou FagensonGrowing up in an artistic family and with the music of folk, classical and the British invasion ringing in his ears, Lou took up guitar at a very early age. By fourth grade he had formed his first garage band—a tradition that lasted throughout high school. Although Lou wanted to grow up to become a member of The Beatles (at the time, who didn’t?), his greater interest was to be the one who wrote the amazing “background” parts—like those of Beatles producer George Martin. At this time, Lou started composing and taught himself to read music and tablature.

At the age of 17, under full scholarship, Lou was accepted into one of only three openings in the guitar program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. There Lou intensified his studies of guitar and composition under Segovia protégé Philip Rosheger, and attended Master Classes with South American guitarist Abel Carlevaro and the iconic composer Aaron Copland. Lou also took private lessons with flamenco master Mariano Córdoba.

Lou’s further studies, also under scholarship, included the guitar program at the Guitar Institute (now called Musicians Institute) and the California Institute of the Arts. There he studied advanced composition with Morton Subotnick, and again attended Master Classes with Aaron Copland.

The following years found Lou performing guitar with The Surfaris (remember the hit song, “Wipe Out”?) and sharing the stage with Jan & Dean, Chuck Berry and Dick Dale. It was at this time that Lou started to score industrial and student films. With his new manager, Ken Kushnick, Lou started writing for HBO and eventually secured his first animated series, “Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders” for Bohbot Entertainment. This is where Lou cut his teeth and learned the discipline of writing a weekly series where time commitments allowed no room for error.

From there Lou started arranging and producing music for feature films and landed a new series, “Johnny Bravo” for Hanna-Barbera Studios. “Johnny Bravo” became one of the most popular shows ever on Cartoon Network.

Lou has been in steady demand since, scoring series, television movies, pilots, commercials, films, themed entertainment and the occasional record arrangement. Lou is a three-time Thea Award winner for his scores to the theme park attractions “Templo del Fuego” at PortAventura, Barcelona, the Universal Studios Hollywood “Tram Tour” and the “Cerritos Library Experience.”

With his 6-string and 12-string Rickenbackers, Gretsch Tennessee Rose guitar and a thorough knowledge of vintage recording gear and technique, Lou’s not-so-secret dream is still to grow up to become a Beatle.

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