Roy Turk
Roy Kenneth Turk was born on September 20, 1892, in New York City, New York. He served in the United States Navy during World War I before embarking on a career as a songwriter and lyricist. Turk became known for his work in the traditional pop, vaudeville, and show tunes genres, and he was active primarily during the 1920s and 1930s.
Turk frequently collaborated with composer Fred E. Ahlert, with whom he created several popular songs. Among their most notable works is the 1929 jazz standard "Mean to Me." Another significant collaboration was with Lou Handman, resulting in the 1927 hit "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" which gained renewed fame when Elvis Presley recorded it in 1960.
Throughout his career, Turk worked with various composers, including Harry Akst, George W. Meyer, Charles Tobias, Arthur Johnston, Maceo Pinkard, and J. Russell Robinson. His contributions to music include songs such as "I'll Get By (As Long as I Have You)," "Walkin' My Baby Back Home," and "Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)," which became Bing Crosby's theme song.
Roy Turk passed away on November 30, 1934, in Hollywood, California. Despite his early death, his songs have endured, influencing generations of musicians. In recognition of his contributions to music, Turk was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
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