Biography

An early supporter of Harry Nilsson's musical career. Published a few of Nilsson's songs, and gave Nilsson a key to his office so he had another place to write. Nilsson in turn performed songs written by and with Botkin.

Botkin began his career as a trombone player in a high school jazz quartet alongside future film composer John Williams.

He was also a major contributor to Incredible Bongo Band, one of the most influential groups of all-time for its Bongo Rock album which is one of the most sampled from records, making it a major influence in the origins of Hip hop.

The tune "Nadia's Theme", composed by Botkin and Barry De Vorzon, peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.

In 1990, Botkin retired from the commercial music industry, and began self-producing CDs of electronic music. James Harbert, in the liner notes for the first of these recordings, says, "With these new musical works, Perry Botkin has achieved his musical goal. He has succeeded in being himself.".