Lew Brown
Lew Brown, born Louis Brownstein on December 10, 1893, in Odessa, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), was a prominent American lyricist known for his contributions to popular music, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s. His family immigrated to the United States when he was five, settling in New York City. Brown attended DeWitt Clinton High School but left to pursue a career in songwriting.
Brown's career began in the 1910s, and he became a notable figure in Tin Pan Alley, collaborating with composers such as Albert Von Tilzer. He gained significant recognition as part of the songwriting team with Buddy DeSylva and Ray Henderson from 1925 to 1931. This trio produced numerous hits, including "Button Up Your Overcoat," "The Birth of the Blues," and "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries." After DeSylva's departure in 1931, Brown continued to work with Ray Henderson and other composers.
Throughout his career, Brown wrote or co-wrote many Broadway shows and Hollywood films. His song "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" became particularly popular during World War II. In 1939, Brown estimated he had written or collaborated on approximately 7,000 songs. He retired from songwriting not long after his World War II success.
Brown was married twice, first to Sylvia Fiske and later to Catherine "June" Brown. He had two daughters, Naomi Brown Greif and Arlyne Brown Mulligan, the latter of whom was married to jazz saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. Lew Brown passed away on February 5, 1958, in New York City. He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and his work continues to be celebrated for its enduring impact on American music.
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