Mort Shuman
Mort Shuman, born on November 12, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, was an influential American singer, pianist, and songwriter. He was the son of Polish Jewish immigrants and attended Abraham Lincoln High School before studying music at the New York Conservatory. Shuman became enamored with R&B music and formed a significant songwriting partnership with Doc Pomus. Together, they composed numerous rock and roll hits during the late 1950s and early 1960s, contributing to the American songbook with classics such as "Save the Last Dance for Me," "A Teenager in Love," "This Magic Moment," and "Viva Las Vegas."
Shuman's career took him from New York's Brill Building to London and eventually to Paris, where he wrote songs for French artists like Johnny Hallyday and launched his own recording career. He found success in Europe with hits like "(Il Neige Sur) Le Lac Majeur" and adapted the French lyrics of Jacques Brel's songs for the acclaimed off-Broadway production "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris."
In addition to his songwriting, Shuman ventured into musicals, co-writing "Budgie" with Don Black, and composed for film and television. His collaborations extended to artists like The Hollies, Cilla Black, and Billy J. Kramer. Shuman's work was recognized posthumously with his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992.
Mort Shuman passed away on November 2, 1991, in London, England, after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music that continues to resonate.
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