Larry Elgart, a saxophonist who formed a popular big band with his older brother, Les, co-wrote the theme song to "American Bandstand," and had his biggest hit album in 1982, a disco-pulsing medley of 1940s standards called "Hooked on Swing."
A precociously talented musician, Mr. Elgart was traveling with bands at 15 to support his family during the Great Depression. He played alto sax in orchestras led by Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Red Norvo, and Charlie Spivak, some of the biggest-name outfits of the day, and was an adventurous-minded player who also helped compose ballet scores and musical tone poems.
