Israel Isidore Baline was born in Russia on May 11, 1888. His family immigrated to America in 1893 when he was five years of age in search of a better life. He attended public schools, but his earliest musical education came from his father, who was a cantor. Both Bucknell University and Temple University awarded him honorary degrees during his lifetime. In an amazing irony, this great composer could not read music and could only play on the black keys of the piano! At one time, he had a special piano built with pedals that could change the set from F sharp to other keys. Completely self taught, this gifted composer wrote more than 3,000 songs during his long and successful career.
He began as a singing waiter in New York’s Chinatown. When asked to write a song for the restaurant, his creation, “Marie of Sunny Italy,” was mistakenly credited to I. Berlin instead of Baline. The name stuck. In 1909 he was hired as the staff lyricist for the Ted Snyder Company and became one of the firm’s partners four years later. In 1910 he appeared on the vaudeville circuit and in the Broadway musical “Up And Down Broadway.” He served in World War One and afterwards established his own public relations firm. In 1921 with Sam Harris, he built the Music Box Theater.
During the 1920s he wrote music for Hollywood and his songs were sung by the greatest stars of the day including best friend, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Al Jolson and Bing Crosby, just to name a few. In January of 1926, the Jewish Irving Berlin married Irish heiress, Ellin MacKay. Her father disapproved of the union and disowned her. She was estranged from her father for years but stood by her decision. She and Irving had four children (one died as an infant) and were happily married for more than sixty years! He awarded his wife the royalties to his song “Always” and loved and respected her “always” during their entire life together.
Irving Berlin was one of the few classic songwriters of his era to both compose and write lyrics for his own songs. Despite the fact that he was so very prolific, he did suffer from frequent bouts of writer’s block.
He died of natural causes at the ripe old age of 101, leaving a legacy of wonderful songs that speak of love to all generations and “always” will.
What are some of YOUR favorite Irving Berlin tunes?