Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

May 17, 1921 in Atlantic City, NJ

Death

:

February 17, 1998 in Culver City, CA

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Bob Merrill was an American composer and lyricist who made significant contributions to the world of musical theater and popular music. Born on May 17, 1921, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Merrill grew up in a musical family. His father was a vaudeville performer, and his mother was a pianist. Merrill began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Merrill attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied music and drama. After graduation, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in show business. He started out as a singer and pianist in nightclubs and worked his way up to writing songs for Broadway shows. Merrill's first big break came in 1950 when he wrote the lyrics for the musical "New Faces of 1952." The show was a hit, and Merrill's witty and clever lyrics received critical acclaim. He went on to write the lyrics for several other Broadway shows, including "Take Me Along," "Carnival!," and "Funny Girl." In addition to his work in musical theater, Merrill also wrote popular songs. He wrote the lyrics for the hit song "Mambo Italiano," which was recorded by Rosemary Clooney in 1954. The song became a huge success and helped to establish Merrill as a songwriter. One of Merrill's most famous works is the musical "Funny Girl," which premiered on Broadway in 1964. The show starred Barbra Streisand in her breakout role as Fanny Brice. Merrill wrote the music and lyrics for the show, and it was a huge success. The show ran for 1,348 performances and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Another notable work by Merrill is the musical "Carnival!," which premiered on Broadway in 1961. The show was based on the 1953 film "Lili" and starred Anna Maria Alberghetti. Merrill wrote the music and lyrics for the show, and it was well-received by audiences and critics alike. The show ran for 719 performances and was nominated for several Tony Awards. Merrill continued to write music throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He wrote the music and lyrics for the musical "Henry, Sweet Henry," which premiered on Broadway in 1967. The show was based on the novel "The World of Henry Orient" and starred Don Ameche. The show received mixed reviews and closed after only 80 performances. In the 1970s, Merrill wrote the music and lyrics for several television specials, including "The Belle of 14th Street" and "The Red Skelton Hour." He also wrote the music and lyrics for the 1976 film "The Little Prince," which was based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Merrill's last major work was the musical "Sugar," which premiered on Broadway in 1972. The show was based on the film "Some Like It Hot" and starred Robert Morse and Tony Roberts. Merrill wrote the music and lyrics for the show, and it received mixed reviews. The show ran for 505 performances and was nominated for several Tony Awards. Throughout his career, Merrill was known for his clever and witty lyrics and his ability to write catchy melodies. He was a prolific songwriter who wrote music for both Broadway shows and popular songs. His contributions to the world of musical theater and popular music have had a lasting impact and continue to be celebrated today. Merrill passed away on February 17, 1998, but his music lives on.

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