A single mind that actually kicked the whole musical tribute concept into fifth gear - Hal Willner, the 62-year old producer/arranger/composer/event manager. Now, Willner did not invent the tribute concept, but Amarcord Nino Rota, from 1981, the first tribute album he conceived and produced practically started the musical tribute process.
Hal Willner, to many music fans known as the true artist of tribute albums, was also a renowned producer and longtime staffer of 'Saturday Night Live.' Tributes from well-known names in music have been pouring in.