Teenagers of the ’70s know Kirshner from the weekly music show “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert,” which featured live performances from pop acts. But Kirshner’s background began when he discovered Bobby Darin in the 1950s and, when they parted ways, Kirshner formed Aldon Music alongside Al Nevins.

Aldon Music, inside NYC’s famed Brill Building had, by 1962, churned out hundreds of hit songs, penned by more than a dozen young songwriters, including the wet-behind-the-ears Carole King, Neil Sedaka and Barry Mann. Kirshner, who wrote “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” for the Righteous Brothers, was best-known for recognizing hits.

He is credited with providing The Monkees with their hits, including “I’m A Believer.” He went on to develop The Archies, and provided the group with hits he selected like “Sugar, Sugar” and “Bang-Shang-A-Lang.”