Today in Music History - May 11
Today in Music History for May 11:
In 1888, American songwriter Irving Berlin was born in Russia. He wrote nearly 1,000 songs, and had his first hit in 1911 with "Alexander's Ragtime Band." Many of his best songs came from such Broadway musicals as "Call Me Madam" and "Annie Get Your Gun." Berlin also composed film scores, and many of his stage musicals were adapted for the screen. Among the best known of his songs are "White Christmas," "God Bless America" and "There's No Business Like Show Business." He died Sept. 22, 1989.
In 1938, composer and pianist Carla Bley was born in Oakland, Calif. She has experimented with many music forms -- free jazz, punk rock and big bands, among others. Once married to Montreal-born pianist Paul Bley, she often made use of rock musicians in her recordings.