Walter Donaldson

Walter Donaldson (February 15, 1893 – July 15, 1947)[1] was an American prolific popular songwriter and publishing company founder, composing many hit songs of the 1910s to 1940s, that have become standards and form part of the Great American Songbook.

This article is about the American songwriter. For the snooker player, see Walter Donaldson (snooker player).
Walter Donaldson
Background information
Born(1893-02-15)February 15, 1893
Brooklyn, New York, United States
DiedJuly 15, 1947(1947-07-15) (aged 54)
Santa Monica, California, United States
Occupation(s)Composer
Lyricist
Publishing company entrepreneur
WebsiteWalterdonaldson.net

History

Walter Donaldson was born in Brooklyn, New York State, United States, the son of a piano teacher.[1] While still in school he wrote original music for school productions,[1] and had his first professional songs published in 1915. In 1918, he had his first major hit with "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady".[1]

During World War I, Donaldson entertained troops at Camp Upton, New York. His time there inspired him to write "How Ya Gonna Keep 'em Down on the Farm (After They've Seen Paree)?"[2]

After serving in the United States Army in World War I, Donaldson was hired as a songwriter by Irving Berlin Music Company.[3] He stayed with Berlin until 1928, producing many hit songs, then in 1928 established his own publishing company. Although Walter Donaldson's company was officially known as "Donaldson, Douglas & Gumble, Inc.," it was printed in fine print alongside Walter Donaldson's name in every publication.

Donaldson frequently worked with lyricist Gus Kahn.[4]

Donaldson is primarily known as a composer, rather than as a lyricist, although he wrote words and music for dozens of songs.[1] Among the big hits for which he wrote both words and music were "At Sundown" and "Little White Lies".[1] In his prolific career, he published some 600 original songs.[5]

At the end of the 1920s, Donaldson moved to Hollywood, California, and worked composing and arranging music for motion pictures.[1] His film credits include work on such pictures as Glorifying the American Girl, Suzy, The Great Ziegfeld, Panama Hattie, Follow the Boys and Nevada. He married Dorothy in 1935, who was on the New York stage as Wanda Mansfield, but they divorced in 1942 after having two children.

Walter Donaldson retired in 1943,[3] and died four years later in Santa Monica, California,[3] after being ill for a year with kidney problems. He is buried at an unmarked grave at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.

Selected works

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 716/7. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. Holsinger, M. Paul, "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm?" (Song), War and American Popular Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. Edited by M Paul Holsinger, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999, ISBN 0313299080, p. 207
  3. "Walter Donaldson | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  4. Encyclopedia of Music in the 20th Century (First ed.). Routledge. February 1, 1999. p. 336. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  5. "ACE Repertory". Ascap.com.

Bibliography
  • Holsinger, M. Paul, "How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm?" (Song) in War and American Popular Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia. Edited by M Paul Holsinger, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999. ISBN 0313299080
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