April 28, 2016
Few things conjure up childhood memories of summertime in the city quite like the instrumental Mister Softee jingle that streams from the speakers of the iconic ice cream trucks throughout Philadelphia and beyond. The music triggers an instant, deep desire for a creamy, cold treat and draws a crowd of children like a mobile magnet.
Before we go on, just give it a listen.
On April 19, Philadelphia native Lester "Les" Waas, the mastermind behind the popular jingle, died at the age of 94, according to a New York Times article.
Waas' family told The Times that the song – which actually has words, even though ice cream trucks stick to playing the instrumental version - was just one of Waas' many successful advertising melodies created under his Philadelphia advertising agency, Waas Inc.
But it was the one that gave him the most pride.
Read the full article at The New York Times.
