Bart Howard was an American songwriter and composer best known for writing the iconic song "Fly Me to the Moon." Here are some interesting facts about him:
Early Life: Bart Howard was born Howard Joseph Gustafson on June 1, 1915, in Burlington, Iowa. He later adopted the stage name "Bart Howard" as it was easier to remember.
Songwriting Career: Bart Howard was a prolific songwriter who wrote over 300 songs during his career. While he composed various songs, "Fly Me to the Moon" remains his most enduring and celebrated composition.
Inspiration for "Fly Me to the Moon": Bart Howard wrote "Fly Me to the Moon" in 1954. The inspiration for the song came from his fascination with the space race and the idea of space travel. This was during a time when the United States and the Soviet Union were in a race to reach the moon.
Original Title: The song was originally titled "In Other Words" when Howard first composed it. It was later renamed to "Fly Me to the Moon" when it became popular.
Frank Sinatra's Version: While Bart Howard wrote "Fly Me to the Moon" in 1954, it was Frank Sinatra's recording in 1964 that made the song a classic. Sinatra's rendition became closely associated with the Apollo space missions and is often played in connection with space exploration.
Apollo 10 Mission: The song gained even more prominence when it was played during the Apollo 10 mission in 1969, which was a critical precursor to the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. The astronauts on Apollo 10 played the song in lunar orbit.
International Fame: "Fly Me to the Moon" has been performed by countless artists from various genres and has been translated into multiple languages. It remains one of the most recognized and recorded songs in the world.
Other Notable Performers: Besides Frank Sinatra, many renowned artists have covered the song, including Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Diana Krall, and Julie London, among others.
Recognition: Bart Howard's contributions to music were recognized with various awards and honors during his lifetime. He received the Johnny Mercer Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997.
Legacy: Bart Howard passed away on February 21, 2004, in Carmel, New York. Although he wrote many songs throughout his career, "Fly Me to the Moon" remains his most enduring legacy, and it continues to captivate audiences around the world with its timeless charm and association with space exploration.