IRVING BERLIN, ALWAYS; The Master Turns 100, But His Music Remains Ageless

From: The Washington Post | Date: May 8, 1988| Author: Tom Shales | Copyright information

Irving Berlin is so American he makes apple pie look almost "un." Despite roughly a quarter century out of the public eye, he remains vibrantly alive in the public ear. And in the syncopated beating of the public heart.

If America were a show, the credits would say, "Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin."

Berlin's extended self-exile-holed up in his town house on Beekman Place in New York-has become rather notorious, and when he celebrates his 100th birthday on Wednesday, it's ...

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