Berlin, Irving

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Berlin, Irving [ Baline, Israel] (b Tyumen, Russia, 1888; d NY, 1989). Russ.-born Amer. composer of highly successful popular music. He was a thoroughly professional musician, at the start of his career, between 1907 and 1914, composing over 200 songs. Wrote the lyrics for almost all his songs. Wrote the musicals Annie Get Your Gun (1946) and Call Me Madam (1950). Among his songs, many for films and mus. comedies, are Alexander's Ragtime Band (1911), God Bless America, Easter Parade, White Christmas, Putting on my Top Hat, This is the Army, What'll I do?, and Always (1925).

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