Alfred E. Simon; Expert on Musicals

Alfred E. Simon, 83, authority on the American musical theater. Simon, who was a respected pianist and director of light music for New York’s radio station WQXR for more than two decades, co-authored the books “The Encyclopedia of Theater Music,” “Songs of the American Theater,” “Songs of the Theater” and “The Gershwins.” On Tuesday in Englewood, N.J., of heart failure after surgery.