Role

:

Composer

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Gus Kahn, born on November 6, 1886, in Koblenz, Germany, was a renowned American lyricist and songwriter. His parents, John and Emma Kahn, were Jewish immigrants who moved to the United States when Gus was four years old. The family settled in Chicago, where Gus grew up and attended school. As a child, Gus showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. He also had a talent for writing, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already writing songs and poems. After finishing high school, Gus worked as a clerk in a Chicago department store, but he continued to pursue his passion for music and writing in his spare time. In 1907, Gus met Walter Blaufuss, a fellow musician and songwriter, and the two began collaborating on songs. They wrote several successful tunes together, including "My Buddy" and "Memories." In 1911, Gus moved to New York City to pursue a career in music, and Walter soon followed. In New York, Gus and Walter continued to write songs together, but they also worked with other composers and lyricists. Gus wrote lyrics for several popular songs, including "Pretty Baby" and "Carolina in the Morning." He also collaborated with composer Isham Jones on several hits, including "I'll See You in My Dreams" and "It Had to Be You." In 1916, Gus married Grace LeBoy, and the couple had two children. Despite his success as a songwriter, Gus struggled with alcoholism and depression throughout his life. He died on October 8, 1941, at the age of 54. Walter Blaufuss, born on December 25, 1883, in Chicago, Illinois, was a composer and songwriter who worked closely with Gus Kahn. Walter began playing the piano at a young age and showed a talent for music. He attended the Chicago Musical College and later worked as a pianist and arranger for several Chicago-based bands. In 1907, Walter met Gus Kahn, and the two began collaborating on songs. They wrote several successful tunes together, including "My Buddy" and "Memories." In 1911, Walter moved to New York City to pursue a career in music, and Gus soon followed. In New York, Walter continued to work with Gus and other composers and lyricists. He wrote music for several popular songs, including "I'll See You in My Dreams" and "It Had to Be You." He also worked as a pianist and arranger for several Broadway shows. In 1920, Walter married Edna Mae Hopper, and the couple had two children. Despite his success as a composer and songwriter, Walter struggled with health problems throughout his life. He died on December 22, 1931, at the age of 48. Egbert Van Alstyne, born on March 4, 1882, in Marengo, Iowa, was a composer and songwriter who worked with Gus Kahn on several popular songs. Egbert began playing the piano at a young age and showed a talent for music. He attended the Chicago Musical College and later worked as a pianist and arranger for several Chicago-based bands. In 1907, Egbert moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. He began working with Gus Kahn and other lyricists, and the two wrote several successful tunes together, including "Memories" and "My Buddy." Egbert also wrote music for several popular songs, including "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" and "By the Light of the Silvery Moon." In 1912, Egbert married Blanche Merrill, and the couple had two children. Despite his success as a composer and songwriter, Egbert struggled with health problems throughout his life. He died on July 9, 1951, at the age of 69.

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