Irving Berlin

Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989), born Israel Baline in Imperial Russia, was a Jewish-American songwriter.Barol, Bill. "Irving Berlin: 1888-1989," Newsweek. October 2, 1989, p. 75; retrieved 2011-12-29.

Selected works
Berlin's first popular success was "Alexander's Ragtime Band."

In 1938, Kate Smith made "God Bless America" a popular hit.

In 1942, Berlin won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in the movie "Holiday Inn". The song was "White Christmas.". Bing Crosby recorded the song. This became "the best-selling record of all time."Harris, Roy J. "Irving Berlin's White Christmas," Wall Street Journal. December 11, 2009; retrieved 2011-12-29.

Broadway musicals written by Berlin included "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Call Me Madam."

References

 Other websites 

Irving Berlin Music Company
PBS page on Irving Berlin , part of their Great Performances series
If Irving Berlin could not read or write music, how did he compose?  (from The Straight Dope)
 Liner notes for The Vintage Irving Berlin, New World Records NW 238 
Irving Berlin collection of non-commercial sound recordings, at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
The Judy Room "Easter Parade" section 
Daniel K. Elder "Remarkable Sergeants: Ten Vignettes of Noteworthy NCOs," http://ncohistory.com/files/RemarkableSgts.pdf

Category:1888 births
Category:1989 deaths
Category:American centenarians
Category:American composers
Category:American Jews
Category:American movie score composers
Category:American pianists
Category:American songwriters
Category:Entertainers from New York City
Category:Congressional Gold Medal recipients
Category:Best Original Song Academy Award-winning songwriters