Ray Henderson
Ray Henderson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Raymond Brost |
| Born | December 1, 1896 Buffalo, New York,U.S. |
| Died | December 31, 1970(aged 74) Greenwich, Connecticut,U.S. |
| Genres | Popular music |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter |
Ray Henderson(bornRaymond Brost;December 1, 1896 – December 31, 1970) was an American songwriter.[1]
Early life[edit]
Born inBuffalo, New York,Henderson moved to New York City and became a popular composer inTin Pan Alley.[1]He was one-third of a successful songwriting and music publishing team withLew BrownandBuddy De Sylvafrom 1925 through 1930, responsible for several editions of the revue calledGeorge White's Scandalsand such book musicals asGood News,Hold Everything!,andFollow Thru.[1]After De Sylva's departure, Henderson continued to write with Brown through 1933.[2]
Then, he worked with other partners. In 1934, he composed the musicalSay Whenwith lyricistTed Koehler.[1]
Career[edit]
Henderson's biggest hit songs included "Annabelle" (1923), "Alabamy Bound"(1924),"Bye Bye Blackbird","Has Anybody Seen My Girl?"(a/k/a" Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue "),"I'm Sitting on Top of the World","Don't Bring Lulu"(all 1925),"The Birth of the Blues","It All Depends on You"(both 1926)," The Varsity Drag ","The Best Things in Life Are Free"(both 1927),"You're the Cream in My Coffee","Button Up Your Overcoat","Sonny Boy"(all 1928)," You Are My Lucky Star ","I'm a Dreamer, Aren't We All","(Keep Your) Sunny Side Up "(all 1929)," The Thrill Is Gone ","Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries"(both 1931), and"Animal Crackers in My Soup"(1935).[1][3]
Henderson also worked as an accompanist to song and dance acts inVaudeville.His last Broadway show was a resuscitation of theZiegfeld Follies,one of several put on after Ziegfeld's death.[2]Henderson's, in 1943, had the longest run of anyFolliesat 553 performances. He effectively retired from composing in the late 1940s, and worked on an opera which was never completed.[1]
Death[edit]
Henderson died of a heart attack[2]inGreenwich, Connecticuton December 31, 1970, at the age of 74.[4]
In popular culture[edit]
Good Newshas been adapted for film twice; in1930and in1947.
The 1956 filmThe Best Things in Life Are Freewas a dramatization of the songwriting team of Henderson, Brown and De Sylva; Henderson was played byDan Dailey.The film included many of the trio's songs.[2]
In 2000, a revue of Henderson's music calledIt's the Cherriesopened in New York City as the inaugural show of theAmerican Composer Series.
References[edit]
- ^abcdefColin Larkin,ed. (1997).The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music(Concise ed.).Virgin Books.p. 592.ISBN1-85227-745-9.
- ^abcdJasen, David A. (2003).Tin Pan Alley: An Encyclopedia of the Golden Age of American Song.New York and London: Routledge. pp.186–187.ISBN0415938775.
- ^Archived atGhostarchiveand theWayback Machine:"Shirley Temple: Animal Crackers in My Soup Extended Version".YouTube.RetrievedOctober 10,2019.
- ^Nelson, Colleen McCain, ed. (January 1, 1971)."Ray Henderson, Major Composer of '20s, Dies".Sacramento Bee.227(37239). Sacramento, CA: The McClatchy Company: D2.RetrievedJuly 25,2023.
External links[edit]
- Ray HendersonatIMDb
- Ray Hendersonat theInternet Broadway Database
- Ray Hendersonat theInternet Archive
- Ray Henderson recordingsat theDiscography of American Historical Recordings.
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