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American Tin Pan Alley composer best known for co-writing the perennial Christmas standard 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town'.John Frederick Coots was a prolific American songwriter active during the Tin Pan Alley era and the Great American Songbook period. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he began his career as a song plugger. He achieved lasting fame in 1934 when he collaborated with lyricist Haven Gillespie to create 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town'. Beyond this iconic hit, Coots wrote numerous other popular songs, including 'Love Letters in the Sand', 'A Precious Little Thing Called Love', and 'You Go to My Head'. He served as president of ASCAP from 1940 to 1941 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.

• Coots served in the US Army during World War I. A leg injury sustained during training ended his hopes of becoming a professional baseball player but steered him towards a full-time career in music.
• The creation of 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town' is legendary. Coots reportedly had the tune in his head for years. He presented it to lyricist Haven Gillespie in September 1934. Gillespie, initially reluctant to write a "kid's song," was inspired by memories of his childhood and penned the lyrics quickly. Eddie Cantor premiered it on his national radio show in November 1934, causing an immediate sensation.
• Coots was involved in a significant legal battle over the authorship of the song 'You Go to My Head'. While J. Fred Coots is credited as composer and Haven Gillespie as lyricist, songwriter Billie Holiday's husband at the time, Jimmy Monroe, claimed co-authorship. The case was ultimately settled out of court.
• He served as President of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) from 1940 to 1941.