Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

June 18, 1913 in New York City, NY

Death

:

January 15, 1993 in Los Angeles, CA

Genre

:

Film

 

 

Vocal

 

Sammy Cahn was an American songwriter and lyricist who was born on June 18, 1913, in New York City. He was the youngest of four children born to Abraham and Elka Cohen, who were Jewish immigrants from Poland. Cahn's father was a tailor, and his mother was a seamstress. Cahn grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where he was exposed to the vibrant music scene of the time. Cahn's interest in music began at an early age, and he started writing songs when he was just 16 years old. He attended Seward Park High School, where he was a member of the school's glee club. After graduating from high school, Cahn worked as a staff writer for Tin Pan Alley, a district in New York City that was known for its music publishers and songwriters. Cahn's big break came in 1935 when he met composer Saul Chaplin. The two began collaborating on songs, and their first hit was "Until the Real Thing Comes Along," which was recorded by Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy. Cahn and Chaplin went on to write many more songs together, including "Please Be Kind," "The Last Time I Saw Paris," and "Three Coins in the Fountain." In 1942, Cahn began working with composer Jule Styne, and the two went on to write some of the most iconic songs in American music history. Their first hit was "I've Heard That Song Before," which was recorded by Harry James and His Orchestra. They went on to write many more hits, including "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!," "It's Been a Long, Long Time," and "The Christmas Waltz." Cahn and Styne also wrote the music and lyrics for several Broadway musicals, including "High Button Shoes," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," and "Bells Are Ringing." Their most successful musical was "Guys and Dolls," which premiered on Broadway in 1950. The show won the Tony Award for Best Musical, and the songs "Luck Be a Lady" and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat" became instant classics. Cahn's career continued to flourish throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He wrote the lyrics for many popular songs, including "Love and Marriage," which was the theme song for the television show "Married... with Children." He also wrote the lyrics for several songs in the film "White Christmas," including the title track, which became one of the best-selling songs of all time. In addition to his work as a songwriter, Cahn was also a philanthropist. He was a founding member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and served as its president from 1966 to 1970. He also established the Sammy Cahn Scholarship at the University of Southern California, which provides financial assistance to students pursuing careers in music. Cahn passed away on January 15, 1993, at the age of 79. He left behind a legacy of timeless songs that continue to be beloved by audiences around the world. His contributions to the world of music have earned him a place among the greatest songwriters of all time.

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