Jerome Philip Herst, known as Jerry Herst, was born on May 28, 1909, in Chicago, Illinois, and passed away on November 27, 1990, in Alameda, California. He was a multifaceted individual who pursued careers in both law and music. Herst is best recognized for his work as a songwriter, particularly for his collaborations with Jack Sharpe, with whom he co-wrote the song "So Rare." This song, published in 1937, became widely popular and was recorded by numerous artists, including Jimmy Dorsey, whose 1957 version became a #2 hit in the United States.

Herst's education included studies at Townsend Hall in New York, Western Military in Illinois, Northwestern University, and the University of California, Berkeley. He earned a JD from the University of California, Hastings College of Law in 1934. Additionally, he studied music at the Conservatoire de Paris and privately with notable composers such as Joseph Schillinger, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, and Alexandre Tansman.

In his musical career, Herst was not only a songwriter but also performed as a radio and nightclub entertainer during his college and law school years. His compositions include collaborations with other artists like Al Jacobs, Felton Kaufmann, and Richard O’Kreamer. Beyond "So Rare," his other works include "The Call of Tarzan," "Shower of Kisses," and instrumental pieces like "A Child’s Garden" and "The Golden Spike."

In the legal field, Herst practiced law from 1935 to 1942 and served as a referee and hearing officer for the State of California Office of Administrative Procedure from 1947 to 1975. He was an administrative law judge until his retirement in 1975. During World War II, he served in the United States Naval Reserves as Judge Advocate General Court Martial and Senior Judge Advocate.

Jerry Herst's legacy is marked by his dual contributions to both the legal and musical fields, with his song "So Rare" standing out as a timeless piece in American music history.