Irving Berlin

NAME: Irving Berlin

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Renowned American composer and lyricist, famous for composing enduring classics such as "White Christmas," "God Bless America," and "There's No Business Like Show Business."

BIRTH: Irving Berlin was born on May 11, 1888, in Tyumen, Russian Empire (now Russia).

FAMILY BACKGROUND: He was born as Israel Isidore Beilin to Jewish cantor Moses Beilin and Lena Lipkin Beilin, Jewish immigrants from Siberia. The family later emigrated to the United States to escape religious persecution.

CHILDHOOD: Berlin's childhood was marked by poverty and hardship, as his family struggled to make ends meet in New York City's Lower East Side. Despite the challenges, Berlin developed a love for music and taught himself to play the piano.

EDUCATION: Berlin received little formal education, leaving school at a young age to help support his family by working odd jobs. His education in music was primarily self-taught, learning to play the piano by ear and soaking up the vibrant musical culture of New York City.

CAREER RECORD: Berlin's career as a songwriter and composer spanned over six decades, during which he wrote hundreds of songs for Broadway musicals, Hollywood films, and popular recordings. His contributions to American music are immeasurable, with many of his songs becoming timeless classics. Here's his resume: 

Published his first song, "Marie from Sunny Italy," in 1907.

Composed numerous international hits like "Alexander's Ragtime Band" (1911), "White Christmas" (1940), "Puttin' on the Ritz" (1929), and countless others.

Wrote music and lyrics for Broadway shows like Annie Get Your Gun (1946) and Easter Parade (1948).

Co-founded the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).

Won an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award.

APPEARANCE: Short in stature, with dark hair and eyes, Berlin was often described as unassuming in appearance, with a humble demeanor that belied his immense talent and success.

Irving Berlin in 1943

FASHION: Berlin's fashion sense was simple and practical, reflecting his no-nonsense approach to life and work.

CHARACTER: Berlin was known for his work ethic, humility, and unwavering dedication to his craft. He was a perfectionist who tirelessly honed his songs until they achieved the level of excellence he demanded.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Irving Berlin's wit and sense of humor were evident not only in his personal interactions but also in his song lyrics.  His playful use of language and clever turns of phrase added another layer of enjoyment to his music..

RELATIONSHIPS: Berlin was married twice, first to Dorothy Goetz in February 1912 after a whirlwind romance. She died four months later of typhoid fever contracted during their honeymoon in Havana, Cuba. Berlin's new bride was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, and for the next thirteen years he placed flowers regularly on her grave until he remarried

The ballad Berlin wrote to express his grief, "When I Lost You", was an immediate popular hit and sold more than a million copies. 

Berlin's second marriage was to author and heiress Ellin Mackay, daughter of the head of the Postal Telegraph Cable Company, Clarence Mackay. She was some fifteen years his junior and Ellin's father had opposed their relationship from the start. Irving wooed her with letters and songs over the airwaves such as "Always". They eloped and were married on January 4, 1926 in a simple civil ceremony at New York's Municipal Building away from media attention.

Their marriage remained a love affair and they were inseparable until she died on July 29, 1988 at the age of 85. They had four children during their 63 years of marriage. 

Berlin and Ellin c1926

MONEY AND FAME: Irving Berlin achieved both wealth and fame during his lifetime, becoming one of the most successful and celebrated songwriters of the 20th century. Berlin became a millionaire through his successful songwriting career.

Irving Berlin co-owned the Broadway Music Box Theatre from its opening in 1921. He was still checking the theater's receipts in 1989.

FOOD AND DRINK: Berlin had simple tastes when it came to food and drink, preferring classic American dishes and enjoying an occasional drink with friends.

MUSIC AND ARTS: As a composer and lyricist, Berlin had a profound impact on American music and culture, shaping the sound of Broadway and Hollywood with his memorable melodies and insightful lyrics.

Berlin's big break came in 1906 when he landed a gig as a singing waiter at a joint called the Pelham Café. Now, this wasn't exactly the Four Seasons, but hey, it was a roof over his head and a captive audience for his warbling. One such captive audience member was Harry Von Tilzer, a big shot in the music biz. Tilzer must have liked what he heard, because he snatched Irving right up and put him to work singing tunes at Tony Pastor's Music Hall, practically the ground zero of vaudeville.

Irving churned out his first song, "Marie from Sunny Italy," the following year, and pretty soon he was a regular on the hit parade. Then came "Alexander's Ragtime Band" in 1910. This wasn't just a hit, it was a phenomenon. Sheet music sales went through the roof, faster than a squirrel on espresso. People were humming that ragtime all over the world, from Zanzibar to Kalamazoo.

Fast forward a few decades, and Irving's still cranking out classics. He wrote "White Christmas" for the movie Holiday Inn, and Bing Crosby recorded it on May 29, 1942. The song practically invented the whole Christmas pop song industry. Apparently, Irving had a good feeling about this one. He even told his secretary, with all due modesty of course, that it was the best song ever written. 

On top of being a chart-topping songwriter, Irving was also a key player in the evolution of popular music. He wasn't afraid to experiment, taking things from jazzy ragtime to smooth swing and heart-wrenching ballads. The man was a melody machine, and he didn't need fancy sheet music to get the job done. He'd just hum his tunes to a secretary who'd translate them into those squiggly lines us normal folks call notation. Stranger things have happened, but not many that have resulted in such catchy songs.

LITERATURE: While Berlin's primary focus was on music, he had a deep appreciation for literature and often drew inspiration from poetry and storytelling in his songwriting.

NATURE: Berlin found solace and inspiration in nature, often taking long walks in the countryside to clear his mind and recharge his creative energies.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Berlin enjoyed playing golf and spending time outdoors, but his true passion was always music, which consumed much of his time and attention.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: While not formally trained in science and mathematics, Berlin had a keen understanding of musical theory and composition, which he applied with skill and precision in his songwriting.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Berlin's worldview was shaped by his Jewish faith and the immigrant experience, which instilled in him a sense of resilience, optimism, and gratitude.

SCANDAL: Berlin's life was relatively free from scandal, as he focused on his music and avoided the trappings of celebrity culture.

MILITARY RECORD: Berlin dabbled in a bit of military service during World War I. Drafted at the ripe old age of 30, the army figured his songwriting skills were more valuable than his ability to dig trenches. So they stuck him with his fellow soldiers, and out came an all-soldier musical revue titled Yip Yip Yaphank. Not exactly Fight Club, but hey, every war needs a good soundtrack, right?

In 1942 Berlin wrote and produced the musical revue This Is the Army, using only military personnel. 

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Berlin maintained good health throughout much of his life, thanks to regular exercise and a balanced diet. However, he faced health challenges in his later years, including a series of strokes.

HOMES: Irving Berlin lived in various residences throughout his life, primarily in New York City.  He enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle and owned a home on Beekman Place, a prestigious Manhattan address. and a country estate in Connecticut, where he found peace and inspiration.

Berlin bought his mother a house out of the royalties for "Alexander's Ragtime Band".

TRAVEL: Berlin traveled extensively throughout his career, performing his music on Broadway stages, Hollywood soundstages, and concert halls around the world.

DEATH: Irving Berlin passed away in his sleep on September 22, 1989, at the age of 101, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music and enduring melodies that continue to captivate audiences to this day.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Irving Berlin's immense popularity led to him making occasional appearances in films and on radio programs.  However, he wasn't a performer himself and preferred to focus on creating music behind the scenes.  His true legacy lies in the countless recordings and stage productions that brought his songs to life.

ACHIEVEMENTS Irving Berlin's achievements are monumental. Here are just a few highlights:

Composed over 1,500 songs, many of which became enduring classics.

Revolutionized popular music with his innovative use of ragtime and other styles.

Won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "White Christmas" (1942).

Received Tony Awards for his contributions to Broadway musicals.

In 1955 President Dwight D. Eisenhower presented Berlin with a special medal authorized by Congress for his patriotic songs.

Co-founded ASCAP, ensuring songwriters received proper compensation.

Wrote iconic patriotic songs like "God Bless America" that continue to resonate deeply.

Achieved international fame and recognition for his music.