Role

:

Composer

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Frank Silver, also known as Irving Cohn, was a prolific composer of popular music during the early 20th century. Born on September 14, 1895, in New York City, Silver grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they encouraged their son's interest in music from an early age. Silver began playing the piano at the age of six and soon showed a talent for composing. He attended the New York College of Music and later studied at the Juilliard School of Music. In 1915, he began working as a staff pianist for the music publisher Leo Feist, where he honed his skills as a songwriter. Silver's first big hit came in 1919 with the song "Yes, We Have No Bananas," which he co-wrote with lyricist Irving Cohn. The song was a huge success and became one of the most popular songs of the year. Silver and Cohn continued to collaborate on many more songs, including "I'm Sitting on Top of the World" and "Ain't She Sweet." In the 1920s, Silver became one of the most sought-after composers in the music industry. He wrote songs for many of the top performers of the day, including Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, and Sophie Tucker. He also wrote music for Broadway shows, including the hit musical "Sally," which featured the song "Look for the Silver Lining." Silver's music was known for its catchy melodies and upbeat rhythms. He was particularly skilled at writing novelty songs, which were popular during the 1920s and 1930s. Some of his most famous novelty songs include "The Object of My Affection" and "Makin' Whoopee." In addition to his work as a composer, Silver was also a talented pianist and bandleader. He led his own orchestra, which performed at many of the top nightclubs and hotels in New York City. He also appeared in several films, including the 1930 musical "The Big Party." Despite his success, Silver's career was not without its challenges. In the 1930s, he was accused of plagiarism by several other composers, who claimed that he had stolen their music. Silver denied the accusations and was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing, but the controversy damaged his reputation. In the 1940s, Silver's career began to decline as musical tastes changed. He continued to write music, but his songs were no longer as popular as they had been in the past. He died on December 3, 1960, at the age of 65. Despite the ups and downs of his career, Frank Silver remains an important figure in the history of popular music. His catchy melodies and upbeat rhythms continue to be enjoyed by audiences today, and his influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary songwriters.

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