Doris Fisher (songwriter) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doris Fisher
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| Background information | |
| Born | May 2, 1915 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 15, 2003 (aged 87) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Songwriter, singer |
| Years active | Late 1930s–1949 |
Doris Fisher (born May 2, 1915 – died January 15, 2003) was an American singer and songwriter. She wrote both the words (lyrics) and the music for many songs. In the 1940s, she helped write many popular tunes.
Some of her famous songs include "Whispering Grass", "You Always Hurt the One You Love", and "Put the Blame on Mame." Her songs were sung by well-known artists like Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, and Ella Fitzgerald.
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Early Life and Family
Doris Fisher was born in New York City. Her father, Fred Fisher, was also a very famous songwriter. It seems talent ran in the family! Her brothers, Dan and Marvin Fisher, also became songwriters.
A Career in Music
In the late 1930s, Doris started singing on the radio station WOR. She performed with Eddy Duchin's band. She also sang with other big bands, like Count Basie's. Doris even led her own singing group called Penny Wise and Her Wise Guys.
Her first hit song was "Tutti Frutti" in 1938. She wrote it with the singer, Slim Gaillard. After this success, she began writing songs for Broadway shows. These were big stage performances in New York City.
Teaming Up for Hits
In 1940, Doris worked with her father to write "Whispering Grass" for The Ink Spots. This was a popular vocal group.
Her most successful time as a songwriter began in 1944. She met lyricist Allan Roberts in her father's office. They quickly became a great songwriting team.
Within a year, they wrote many hit songs together:
- "You Always Hurt the One You Love": This song became a number one hit for the Mills Brothers. It was even added to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017!
- "Good, Good, Good (That's You, That's You)": Sung by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters.
- "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall": Another number one hit for the Ink Spots, this time with Ella Fitzgerald.
- "That Ole Devil Called Love": Recorded by the legendary Billie Holiday.
- "Angelina (The Waitress at the Pizzeria)": A hit for Louis Prima.
- "Tampico": A popular song by Stan Kenton.
They also wrote "Invitation to the Blues." Doris wrote this with Roberts and Arthur Gershwin. Arthur was the younger brother of famous composers George and Ira Gershwin.
Songs for the Movies
In 1945, Doris and Allan Roberts signed a big contract. Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures hired them to write songs for movies in Hollywood. They had a seven-year deal!
They quickly found success with songs for the movie Gilda. This film starred Rita Hayworth. Doris and Allan wrote "Amado Mio" and "Put the Blame on Mame" for it. They contributed songs to about twenty films for Columbia Pictures. These included movies like Dead Reckoning and The Lady from Shanghai.
Doris Fisher's other popular songs included "That's Good Enough for Me" and "Tired." These were recorded by Pearl Bailey. She also wrote "Let's Stay Young Forever" and "It's So Easy."
In an interview from 1947, Doris said that Allan Roberts was good at writing sad songs. She, on the other hand, was good at writing "lighthearted, sentimental" songs. Her music was so popular that people called her the "Queen of the Juke Box."
Later Life and Legacy
In 1947, Doris Fisher married Charles Gershenson. He was a real estate developer. She decided to leave the music business to raise their two children, Frederika and Ned. They moved to Detroit, Michigan.
Doris became very interested in collecting old American furniture. She also became an advisor for interior design. In the early 1960s, she even advised President John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline on how to decorate the White House!
Doris and Charles Gershenson divorced in the 1960s. She then moved back to Los Angeles, California. There, she started her own business called Cookstores. It sold items for kitchens and dining rooms.
Doris Fisher passed away in January 2003, at the age of 87. Her friend, the musician Michael Feinstein, praised her. He said she had great determination and talent in a time when the music world was mostly run by men.]
