Felix Bernard
Felix William Bernard, born Felix Bernhardt on April 28, 1897, in New York City, was an American conductor, pianist, and composer renowned for his contributions to popular music. Raised in a Jewish family, Bernard's early musical education was guided by his father, a professional violinist, before he pursued formal studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He became a professional pianist in his teens and gained early success with the hit "Dardanella" in 1919, co-written with Johnny S. Black and Fred Fisher, which was among the first records to sell a million copies.
Bernard's career spanned vaudeville, where he wrote one-act musical comedies and toured extensively in the U.S. and abroad. He worked as a pianist for dance orchestras and music publishers before forming his own band and producing his own radio show. Settling in Hollywood, Bernard contributed music to several films, including "The Nitwits" (1935) and "The Star Maker" (1939).
In 1934, Bernard joined the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), collaborating with notable lyricists such as Richard Bernhard Smith, with whom he co-wrote the classic "Winter Wonderland." Although the song was initially a hit for Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians in 1934, it gained enduring popularity posthumously for Bernard after being recorded by Perry Como and the Andrews Sisters in 1946.
Felix Bernard passed away on October 20, 1944, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 47. He is remembered for his contributions to American music, particularly his ability to craft melodies that have become timeless standards. Bernard was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
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