After studying at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and the University of Michigan, Pete King began working in radio in New York, including The Fred Allen Show, one of the most popular comedy shows of the period. In the mid-40s, he relocated to Los Angeles where he became an in-demand orchestral leader and arranger, notably with singers, contributing as arranger and/or conductor on albums by Julie London (Calendar Girl and London By Night), Kay Starr (Blue Starr), and Bing Crosby (Gigi, Trust Your Destiny To A Star, The Second Time Around and Incurably Romantic). During the 60s, he earned five consecutive but unsuccessful Grammy nominations, for My Favorite Things, Hey, Look Me Over, Consider Yourself, followed by two for arrangements with Jack Jones.