Role

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Composer

 

Richard Whiting, also known as W. Franke Harling, was a prominent American composer and songwriter of the early 20th century. He was born on November 12, 1891, in Peoria, Illinois, to a musical family. His father, Frank Harling, was a composer and conductor, and his mother, Lulu C. Whiting, was a singer and pianist. Whiting showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. He studied music at the University of Illinois and later at the Chicago Musical College. In 1914, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. Whiting's early works were primarily in the classical music genre. He composed several orchestral pieces, including a symphony and a suite for orchestra. However, he soon turned his attention to popular music and began writing songs for Broadway shows and Hollywood films. One of Whiting's most famous songs is "Hooray for Hollywood," which he co-wrote with Johnny Mercer for the 1937 film "Hollywood Hotel." The song became an instant hit and has since become a classic of the American songbook. Whiting also wrote the music for several other popular songs, including "Ain't We Got Fun," "On the Good Ship Lollipop," and "Too Marvelous for Words." In addition to his work as a songwriter, Whiting also composed music for several Hollywood films. He wrote the score for the 1933 film "Dinner at Eight" and contributed music to several other films, including "The Big Broadcast of 1936" and "College Rhythm." Whiting's career was cut short by his untimely death in 1938 at the age of 46. However, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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