Michael Zager (born January 3, 1943)^[1] is an American record producer, composer, and arranger of original music for commercials, albums, network television, and theme music for films. He teaches music at Florida Atlantic University.^[2] Zager was a member of jazz rock band Ten Wheel Drive from 1968 to 1973.^[3]

This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. (September 2020)

Zager has produced for artists such as Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Peabo Bryson, Luther Vandross, Deniece Williams, Jennifer Holliday, Joe Williams, Arturo Sandoval, Herb Alpert, Olatunji, and the (Detroit) Spinners. Zager produced R&B artist Street Corner Symphony (1975), Marilyn Chambers (1976), Andrea True (1977),^[4] Dee Edwards (1980), Take Five (1981), Elusion (1981). He also co-wrote the Patti Day song "Right Before My Eyes" with Alexander Forbes.

In 1978, the Michael Zager Band had a popular disco anthem with "Let's All Chant".^[5]

During the Spinners era with singer John Edwards, who had replaced Philippé Wynne in 1977, Zager wrote three medley arrangements from 1979 to 1981:^[6]

• "Working My Way Back to You" / "Forgive Me, Girl" (medley), from the 1979 album Dancin' and Lovin' – (No. 2 US Billboard Hot 100 in March–April 1980; No. 1 UK Singles Chart)
• "Cupid" / "I've Loved You for a Long Time" (medley), from the 1980 album Love Trippin' – (No. 4 US Hot 100 in July–August 1980; No. 4 UK)
• "Yesterday Once More" / "Nothing Remains the Same" (medley), from the 1981 album Labor of Love – (No. 52 US Hot 100 in March 1981; did not chart in the UK)

Zager graduated from University of Miami and the Mannes College of Music. He taught at the Mannes College of Music, a division within The New School, in New York City.^[2]

During the summers of 2006 and 2008 Zager taught at the College of Music at Payap University in Chiang Mai, Thailand.^[7]

He holds the positions of the Dorothy F. Schmidt Eminent Scholar in Performing Arts and professor of music at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida.^[2]

He is the author of Writing Music for Television and Radio Commercials (A Manual for Composers and Students) published by Scarecrow Press,^[8] and Music Production: For Producers, Composers, Arrangers, and Students, also published by Scarecrow Press.^[9]

• List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart