Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

April 3, 1919 in New York City, NY

Death

:

January 15, 2015

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Ervin Drake was an American songwriter and composer who was born on April 3, 1919, in New York City. He was the son of Jewish immigrants from Romania and grew up in a musical family. His father was a cantor, and his mother played the piano. Drake began playing the piano at a young age and showed a talent for music. Drake attended the City College of New York, where he studied music and journalism. He began his career as a songwriter in the 1940s, writing songs for popular singers such as Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, and Billie Holiday. He also wrote songs for Broadway musicals, including "What Makes Sammy Run?" and "Her First Roman." One of Drake's most famous songs is "It Was a Very Good Year," which was recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1965. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance, Male. Drake also wrote the lyrics for the song "I Believe," which became a hit for Frankie Laine in 1953. Drake was known for his ability to write songs that were both romantic and sentimental. His songs often dealt with themes of love, loss, and nostalgia. He was also known for his ability to write songs that were catchy and easy to sing along to. In addition to his work as a songwriter, Drake was also a composer. He wrote the music for several Broadway musicals, including "What Makes Sammy Run?" and "Her First Roman." He also wrote the music for the film "The Strip," which was released in 1951. Drake's career spanned several decades, and he continued to write songs and compose music well into his later years. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Popular Music in 2006. Ervin Drake passed away on January 15, 2015, at the age of 95. He left behind a legacy of beautiful music that continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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