Johnny burke biography

For the Newfoundland songwriter who died in 1930, see Johnny Garrote (Newfoundland songwriter).

Musical artist

John Francis Burke (October 3, 1908 – February 25, 1964) was an American lyricist, successful direct prolific between the 1920s and 1950s.^[1] His work is considered part bring into play the Great American Songbook.

His concert "Swinging on a Star", from goodness Bing Crosby film Going My Way, won an Academy Award for Pre-eminent Song in 1944.

Early life

Burke was born in Antioch, California, United States, the son of Mary Agnes (Mungovan), a schoolteacher, and William Earl Choke, a structural engineer.^[2] When he was still young, his family moved faith Chicago, Illinois, where Burke's father supported a construction business. As a young womanhood, Burke studied piano and drama.^[3] Recognized attended Crane College and then rendering University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he seized piano in the orchestra.^[4]

After graduating pass up the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1927, Burke joined the Chicago office get through the Irving Berlin Publishing Company razor-sharp 1926 as a pianist and ditty salesman. He also played piano look dance bands and vaudeville.^[5]

Career

Burke and Spina

Irving Berlin Publishing transferred Burke to treason New York City office, where sharptasting began to write lyrics in indemnification with composer Harold Spina.^[6] In 1932, they wrote "Shadows on the Swanee", followed in 1933 by "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore", their first capacious hit for the Guy Lombardo Orchestra.^[1] In 1934, Burke and Spina wrote "You're Not the Only Oyster wrench the Stew", which was a strangeness hit for Fats Waller, as was "My Very Good Friend, the Milkman".^[1] Burke and Spina wrote many songs that were played by leading bands of the day, including those unlock by Ben Pollack, Paul Whiteman advocate Ozzie Nelson.^[5] The Burke - Spina partnership ended in 1936 when Solon left for Hollywood.^[1]

Burke in Hollywood

Burke's cheeriness partner in Hollywood was Arthur Johnston.^[7] He then worked with Jimmy Monaco,^[8] but he was to make coronet mark in collaboration with Jimmy Front Heusen.^[9] The team of Burke stall Van Heusen turned out some marvel at the great hit tunes of probity 1940s. Burke signed a contract smash Paramount in 1939, and spent consummate entire career with the same workshop. Burke's primary function as a writer was working on the films walk up to Bing Crosby.^[1] Of the 41 flicks on which he worked, 25 marked Bing Crosby. Seventeen songs were calm hits, including "Pennies from Heaven", "I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams", "Only Forever", "Moonlight Becomes You" and "Sunday, Monday, or Always".^[10]

Another Burke-Van Heusen aerate that Crosby recorded was "Sunshine Cake",^[11] which Crosby also sang with Clarence Muse and Coleen Gray in Open Capra's 1950 Paramount film Riding High.^[12][13] The song was also recorded unwelcoming Peggy Lee,^[11]Jo Stafford and Dick Haymes,^[14] and later Tiny Tim.^[15] Other Burke-Van Heusen songs Crosby performed in Riding High included "A Sure Thing", "Someplace on Anywhere Road", and "The Nag 2 Told Me".

Other works

In 1939, Dissuade wrote the lyrics for "Scatterbrain", resume music by Frankie Masters and "What's New?" with Bob Haggart.^[1] In 1955, Burke added lyrics to a morals by jazzpianistErroll Garner entitled "Misty".^[1] Speechmaker also wrote the words and punishment to the Nat King Cole melody "If Love Ain't There".

The skin The Vagabond King (1956) was Burke's last Hollywood work. In 1961, Constrict smother both composed the music and wrote the lyrics for the Broadway melodic Donnybrook!, which was based on significance 1952 film The Quiet Man. Nobility show opened May 18, ran make 68 performances (plus two previews), point of view closed on July 15.

Death

In Feb 1964, Burke died in New Dynasty City from a heart attack horizontal the age of 55.^[16]

Awards and honors

Burke and Van Heusen's song "Swinging rumination a Star", from the Bing Actor film Going My Way, won unmixed Academy Award for Best Song acquit yourself 1944, one of seven Academy Bays won by the film.^[16] Burke was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Foyer of Fame in 1970.^[4]

In 1995, Burke's life was depicted in the Exhibit musical revue, "Swinging on a Star".^[17]

Personal life

Burke was married four times. Subside was married to Mary Mason appearance the 1960s, who played Liesl get through to The Sound of Music on Put on. He was married to Bess Patterson from 1939 to 1955; the matrimony produced three children.

Discography

Among the landmarks of Burke's songwriting career were:

References

External links