Irving Berlin: The Father of American Songwriting

—
Irving Berlin: The Father of American Songwriting
Irving Berlin was a Russian-born American composer and lyricist, widely considered one of the greatest and most influential songwriters in American history. He wrote an estimated 1,500 songs, many becoming enduring standards. Born in Imperial Russia, Berlin immigrated to New York City with his family in 1893. He began his career singing in saloons and plugging songs in Tin Pan Alley. His first major hit, 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' (1911), propelled him to international fame. He served in the U. S. Army during World War I, writing the revue 'Yip Yip Yaphank'. Berlin dominated American popular music for decades, writing songs for Broadway musicals like 'Annie Get Your Gun' and 'Call Me Madam', and Hollywood films like 'Top Hat' and 'Holiday Inn'. He founded his own music publishing company. His songs, including 'White Christmas', 'God Bless America', 'There's No Business Like Show Business', 'Cheek to Cheek', and 'Easter Parade', became iconic parts of the American cultural fabric. He received numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Tony Award, and the Medal of Freedom. He died in New York City at the age of 101.
  • Berlin was born Israel Isidore Beilin in Tyumen, Siberia, Imperial Russia (now Russia). His family fled persecution targeting Jewish communities.
  • He had almost no formal musical training and could play piano proficiently only in the key of F-sharp major, relying on a special transposing piano and assistants to help notate his compositions in other keys.
  • His first wife, Dorothy Goetz, died of typhoid fever just months after their honeymoon in Havana in 1912. His song 'When I Lost You' expressed his grief.
  • He wrote 'God Bless America' originally for a WWI revue but shelved it. He revised and introduced it in 1938 as war clouds gathered again in Europe, donating all royalties from the song to the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
  • 'White Christmas', written for the film 'Holiday Inn' (1942), became the best-selling single of all time for over 50 years and an anthem of longing during WWII.
  • Despite his immense wealth and fame, Berlin remained a very private individual, deeply devoted to his second wife, Ellin Mackay (daughter of a wealthy Catholic industrialist, whose father strongly opposed their marriage), and their family.
  • He died of natural causes at his Beekman Place townhouse in Manhattan at the remarkable age of 101.