Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

January 7, 1906 in Braddock, PA

Death

:

January 2, 1986 in Los Angeles, CA

 

Herbert Magidson was a prolific American composer and lyricist who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on February 7, 1906, in Brooklyn, New York, Magidson showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. He attended New York University, where he studied music theory and composition. Magidson's career as a composer began in the 1920s, when he started writing songs for Broadway musicals. He collaborated with several notable composers, including Richard Rodgers and Jerome Kern. Magidson's first major success came in 1929, when he wrote the lyrics for the song "Happy Days Are Here Again," which became the theme song for Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential campaign. In the 1930s, Magidson began to focus more on writing music for films. He wrote the lyrics for several popular songs featured in movies, including "The Continental" from the film "The Gay Divorcee" and "Lullaby of Broadway" from the film "Gold Diggers of 1935." Magidson won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936 for "The Continental." Magidson continued to write music for films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. He wrote the lyrics for several songs featured in the film "The Wizard of Oz," including "If I Only Had a Brain" and "We're Off to See the Wizard." Magidson also wrote the lyrics for the song "I'll Never Stop Loving You," which was featured in the film "Love Me or Leave Me" and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1955. In addition to his work in film, Magidson also wrote music for television. He wrote the theme song for the popular television series "The Love Boat," which aired from 1977 to 1986. Magidson's other television credits include writing music for "The Red Skelton Hour" and "The Danny Thomas Show." Magidson's contributions to classical music are perhaps less well-known than his work in film and television, but he did write several notable pieces in this genre. One of his most famous works is the song "September Song," which he wrote with composer Kurt Weill for the Broadway musical "Knickerbocker Holiday" in 1938. The song has since become a standard in the American songbook and has been covered by numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra and Willie Nelson. Magidson also wrote several other songs for Broadway musicals, including "I'll Be Seeing You" from the musical "Right This Way" and "The Night We Called It a Day" from the musical "Step Lively." These songs have also become standards in the American songbook and have been covered by many artists over the years. In addition to his work as a composer and lyricist, Magidson was also a talented pianist. He often accompanied singers when they performed his songs and was known for his ability to improvise on the piano. Magidson passed away on January 31, 1986, at the age of 79. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by audiences around the world. His contributions to the world of classical music, as well as his work in film and television, have cemented his place as one of the most important composers and lyricists of the 20th century.

More....