This site allows you to search and view newspaper pages from 1860-1922 and find information about American newspapers published between 1690-present. Chronicling America is sponsored jointly by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Library of Congress as part of the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).
Louis Gaste, who wrote the song that was plagiarized as the popular hit "Feelings," died today at his home here. He was 88. The cause was cancer, friends said. Mr. Gaste also wrote the song known in English as "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?" In 1956, Mr. Gaste wrote "Pour Toi" ("For You") with his wife, the singer and actress Line Renaud. It had no particular success, but in 1975 Morris Albert adapted it as "Feelings" and it became a pop staple. Mr. Gaste sued Mr. Albert and won $500,000 in damages in 1987.
Mr. Gaste began his career in the 1930's as a guitarist in the Ray Ventura orchestra before he started composing. He wrote more than 1,000 songs, among them "Battling Joe," which became a signature song for Yves Montand.
A version of this obituary; biography appeared in print on Monday, January 9, 1995, on section B page 9 of the New York edition.
