Jimmy Van Heusen
Jimmy Van Heusen, born Edward Chester Babcock on January 26, 1913, in Syracuse, New York, was a prominent American composer known for his contributions to film, television, and theater music. He adopted the name Jimmy Van Heusen at 16, inspired by the shirt makers Phillips-Van Heusen, as a pseudonym for his on-air persona during local shows. Van Heusen's career spanned from the mid-1930s to the late 1970s, during which he won four Academy Awards for Best Original Song and an Emmy Award.
Van Heusen's songwriting career began in high school, and he later studied at Cazenovia Seminary and Syracuse University. He collaborated with notable lyricists such as Eddie DeLange, Johnny Burke, and Sammy Cahn. His partnership with Burke led to an Academy Award for "Swinging on a Star" in 1944. Van Heusen's collaboration with Cahn produced several hits, including "All the Way," "High Hopes," and "Call Me Irresponsible," earning them three more Oscars.
Van Heusen was closely associated with singers Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, composing numerous songs for their films and recordings. He wrote 76 songs for Sinatra, including "The Tender Trap" and "Come Fly with Me." His work became a staple in the jazz and popular music repertoire, with many compositions becoming standards.
Apart from his musical achievements, Van Heusen was an accomplished pilot, working as a part-time test pilot for Lockheed Corporation during World War II. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971. Jimmy Van Heusen passed away on February 6, 1990, in Rancho Mirage, California, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music.
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