Alan Gary Zekley

Alan Gary Zekley, also known as Brandon Chase (January 4, 1943 – June 19, 1996)

Zekley was a West Coast record producer and songwriter associated with 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s bands and songs in the bubblegum, rock and roll, sunshine pop, and surf genres. Brought up in Southern California, he attended Menlo College in Palo Alto and Santa Monica City College. He co-wrote "Sooner or Later", a top-10 hit for the Grass Roots in 1971. R.E.M. recorded his song "Superman" on their 1986 album Lifes Rich Pageant. The song was originally recorded by the Clique. Zekley wrote or produced songs by bands such as Big Pig, Dick and Dee Dee, Jan and Dean, Sweathog, Spanky and Our Gang, the Ragamuffins, the Mamas & the Papas, The Fun and Games, and the Yellow Balloon. He died of a heart attack at age 53 on June 19, 1996. Zekley is interred at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City, California.