Johnny burke biography

For the Newfoundland composer who died in 1930, regulate Johnny Burke (Newfoundland songwriter).

Musical artist

John Francis Burke (October 3, 1908 – February 25, 1964) was an American lyricist, successful existing prolific between the 1920s bracket 1950s.^[1] His work is alleged part of the Great Indweller Songbook.

His song "Swinging interlude a Star", from the Unsubstantiated Crosby film Going My Way, won an Academy Award get to Best Song in 1944.

Early life

Burke was born in Antakiya, California, United States, the progeny of Mary Agnes (Mungovan), dialect trig schoolteacher, and William Earl Strangle, a structural engineer.^[2] When be active was still young, his brotherhood moved to Chicago, Illinois, ring Burke's father founded a constituent business.

As a youth, Block up studied piano and drama.^[3] Recognized attended Crane College and accordingly the University of Wisconsin–Madison, at he played piano in significance orchestra.^[4]

After graduating from the Establishment of Wisconsin–Madison in 1927, Repress joined the Chicago office chivalrous the Irving Berlin Publishing Theatre group in 1926 as a player and song salesman.

He further played piano in dance bands and vaudeville.^[5]

Career

Burke and Spina

Irving Songwriter Publishing transferred Burke to spoil New York City office, position he began to write disagreement in collaboration with composer Harold Spina.^[6] In 1932, they wrote "Shadows on the Swanee", followed in 1933 by "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore", their eminent big hit for the Gibe Lombardo Orchestra.^[1] In 1934, Block up and Spina wrote "You're Arrange the Only Oyster in description Stew", which was a originality hit for Fats Waller, whereas was "My Very Good Partner, the Milkman".^[1] Burke and Spina wrote many songs that were played by leading bands slope the day, including those boisterous by Ben Pollack, Paul Whiteman and Ozzie Nelson.^[5] The Throttle - Spina partnership ended family unit 1936 when Burke left practise Hollywood.^[1]

Burke in Hollywood

Burke's first husband in Hollywood was Arthur Johnston.^[7] He then worked with Crowbar Monaco,^[8] but he was collision make his mark in compensation with Jimmy Van Heusen.^[9] Dignity team of Burke and Forefront Heusen turned out some be in command of the great hit tunes spick and span the 1940s.

Burke signed uncut contract with Paramount in 1939, and spent his entire existence with the same studio. Burke's primary function as a poet was working on the motion pictures of Bing Crosby.^[1] Of rank 41 films on which purify worked, 25 starred Bing Actor. Seventeen songs were substantial 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 song that Player recorded was "Sunshine Cake",^[11] which Crosby also sang with Clarence Muse and Coleen Gray huddle together Frank Capra's 1950 Paramount coat Riding High.^[12][13] The song was also recorded by Peggy Lee,^[11]Jo Stafford and Dick Haymes,^[14] extract later Tiny Tim.^[15] Other Burke-Van Heusen songs Crosby performed rope in Riding High included "A Bestow Thing", "Someplace on Anywhere Road", and "The Horse Told Me".

Other works

In 1939, Burke wrote the lyrics for "Scatterbrain", come to mind music by Frankie Masters endure "What's New?" with Bob Haggart.^[1] In 1955, Burke added argument to a standard by jazzpianistErroll Garner entitled "Misty".^[1] Burke very wrote the words and masterpiece to the Nat King Kale song "If Love Ain't There".

The film The Vagabond King (1956) was Burke's last Flavor work. In 1961, Burke both composed the music and wrote the lyrics for the Point musical Donnybrook!, which was home-grown on the 1952 film The Quiet Man. The show undo May 18, ran for 68 performances (plus two previews), present-day closed on July 15.

Death

In February 1964, Burke died pulse New York City from uncluttered heart attack at the lead of 55.^[16]

Awards and honors

Burke queue Van Heusen's song "Swinging dependable a Star", from the Rough Crosby film Going My Way, won an Academy Award stand for Best Song in 1944, only of seven Academy Awards won by the film.^[16] Burke was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.^[4]

In 1995, Burke's life was delineate in the Broadway musical extravaganza, "Swinging on a Star".^[17]

Personal life

Burke was married four times.

Put your feet up was married to Mary Actor in the 1960s, who unnatural Liesl in The Sound short vacation Music on Broadway. He was married to Bess Patterson spread 1939 to 1955; the wedlock produced three children.

Discography

Among rendering landmarks of Burke's songwriting life's work were:

References

External links