Arthur Gershwin, a composer and the younger brother of George and Ira Gershwin, died at his home Friday after a long illness. He was 81 years old and lived at 25 Central Park South.
Mr. Gershwin, whose musical career was overshadowed by those of his two older brothers, was nevertheless a successful composer and producer on his own. Along with Fred Spielman, he composed the music for "A Lady Says Yes," a show that ran on Broadway during most of 1945.
He also composed such songs as "Invitation to the Blues," "After All These Years," "Slowly But Surely," "Blue Underneath a Yellow Moon," and "No Love Blues."
The lyrics for "A Lady Says Yes," which starred Carole Landis, were written by Stanley Adams, who was president of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Although George and Ira Gershwin were known for their successful collaborations, George, who died in 1938, often introduced songs composed by Arthur, who gave up his brokerage business in the 1930's to make composing his career.
The Gershwins, whose home was Brooklyn, moved constantly, like many show business families. Arthur, who had no formal music training, taught himself to play the piano.
Forced by failing health to retire in the 1950's, Mr. Gershwin nevertheless entertained aspiring composers at his apartment, giving them advice on how to get started in show business.
It was in show business that he met his wife, the former Judy Lane, who sang with Xavier Cugat. They were married in 1940. Mr. Gershwin is survived by his wife; his brother Ira, of Beverly Hills, Calif.; a sister, Frances Godowsky of Westport, Conn.; a son, Marc George, and two grandchildren, Adam and Todd.
Funeral services will be at 1 P.M. today at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Avenue at 81st Street. Mr. Gershwin will be buried in the family plot, where George also is interred, at Westchester Hills Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
[by RONALD SULLIVAN, The New York Times, November 22, 1981]
Arthur Gershwin, a composer and the younger brother of George and Ira Gershwin, died at his home Friday after a long illness. He was 81 years old and lived at 25 Central Park South.
Mr. Gershwin, whose musical career was overshadowed by those of his two older brothers, was nevertheless a successful composer and producer on his own. Along with Fred Spielman, he composed the music for "A Lady Says Yes," a show that ran on Broadway during most of 1945.
He also composed such songs as "Invitation to the Blues," "After All These Years," "Slowly But Surely," "Blue Underneath a Yellow Moon," and "No Love Blues."
The lyrics for "A Lady Says Yes," which starred Carole Landis, were written by Stanley Adams, who was president of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Although George and Ira Gershwin were known for their successful collaborations, George, who died in 1938, often introduced songs composed by Arthur, who gave up his brokerage business in the 1930's to make composing his career.
The Gershwins, whose home was Brooklyn, moved constantly, like many show business families. Arthur, who had no formal music training, taught himself to play the piano.
Forced by failing health to retire in the 1950's, Mr. Gershwin nevertheless entertained aspiring composers at his apartment, giving them advice on how to get started in show business.
It was in show business that he met his wife, the former Judy Lane, who sang with Xavier Cugat. They were married in 1940. Mr. Gershwin is survived by his wife; his brother Ira, of Beverly Hills, Calif.; a sister, Frances Godowsky of Westport, Conn.; a son, Marc George, and two grandchildren, Adam and Todd.
Funeral services will be at 1 P.M. today at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Avenue at 81st Street. Mr. Gershwin will be buried in the family plot, where George also is interred, at Westchester Hills Cemetery in Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
[by RONALD SULLIVAN, The New York Times, November 22, 1981]
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