Irving Berlin arguably the greatest composer of American popular music

On my walk at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York, I discovered the grave — third from the left in the feature photo — of the great American composer and songwriter, Irving Berlin.

Berlin was known for writing music and lyrics in the American vernacular: uncomplicated, simple, and direct. His aim was always to “reach the heart of the average American,” whom he saw as the “real soul of the country.”

Born in Russia, Irving Berlin wrote an estimated 1,500 songs over a remarkable 60-year career, including the scores for 20 original Broadway shows and 15 Hollywood films. His vast songbook includes some of the most beloved standards in American music history: Blue Skies, Easter Parade, Cheek to Cheek, There’s No Business Like Show Business, and his most famous song, White Christmas.

Fellow composer George Gershwin once called Berlin “the greatest songwriter that has ever lived,” while Jerome Kern simply said: “Irving Berlin is American music.”

Jerome Kern                 George Gershwin    

Irving (Israel) Berlin died in New York City on September 22, 1989. He was 101.

1888-1989

Irving Berlin Jr. died a few weeks old of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 1928. He rests near his dad’s grave.

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Irving Berlin’s interfaith marriage to debutante Ellin Mackay in the 1920s caused quite a stir in New York’s upper-crust circles. Ellin is buried beside her husband.