WARMINSTER, Pa., April 29 (UPI) -- Les Waas, the adman who created the famous Mister Softee jingle used in ice cream trucks for over 50 years, has died at the age of 94.
Waas created the iconic tune which signals the arrival of ice cream trucks in 1960 for the Mister Softee brand. It has become synonymous with ice cream ever since.
Orginally created with lyrics, the jingle officially titled "Jingle and Chimes" was shortened into an instrumental version that would broadcast on loudspeakers placed on top of each truck.
So widely used, the tune was almost banned in New York City in 2004 by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg who was attempting to reduce noise in the city.
Waas who owned his own advertising agency Waas Inc., is credited with creating over 970 jingles for companies such as the United States Coast Guard, Ford Motor Company and the Holiday Inn.
Waas died on April 19 in Warminster, Pa. He is survived by his children Sherri Waas Shunfenthal and Murry Waas.
