Stalling, Carl (d. 1972) - When Walt Disney first began making silent cartoons in Kansas City, he became acquainted with a theater organist there, Carl Stalling. Later, when Walt decided to add a soundtrack to "Steamboat Willie," he turned to Stalling to accomplish the task. Stalling then moved to California as the Studio's in-house composer, and he was instrumental in getting Walt to begin the Silly Symphony series. He left Disney in 1930 to work elsewhere in Hollywood.