Ervin Drake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ervin Drake
Drake in 2006
Background information
Birth name	Ervin Maurice Druckman
Born	(1919-04-03)April 3, 1919 New York City, New York, U.S.
Died	January 15, 2015(2015-01-15) (aged 95) Great Neck, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Songwriter
Years active	1931–2014

Ervin Drake (born Ervin Maurice Druckman; April 3, 1919 – January 15, 2015) was a talented American songwriter. He wrote many popular songs that are now considered classics. Some of his most famous works include "I Believe" and "It Was a Very Good Year". His songs were recorded by musicians all over the world. In 1983, he was honored by being added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Ervin Drake's Life Story

Ervin Drake was born in New York City on April 3, 1919. He showed his musical talent early, with his first song published when he was just 12 years old in 1931.

He went to Townsend Harris High School in Manhattan and finished in 1935. Later, he earned a degree in social science from the City College of New York in 1940. Ervin came from a family of writers. His older brother, Milton Drake, also became a songwriter. His younger brother, Arnold Drake, wrote for famous comic book companies like DC Comics and Marvel Comics.

His Amazing Songs

Ervin Drake wrote the words for "Perdido", a jazz song first recorded in 1944. Besides writing music and lyrics, he also worked as a television producer. He helped create shows for stars like Jackie Gleason and Milton Berle.

One of his biggest hits was "I Believe". This song was first performed on TV in 1953 by Jane Froman. It quickly became a number-one hit for Frankie Laine. The song was so popular that many other artists, including Barbra Streisand and Elvis Presley, recorded it.

He wrote both the words and music for "It Was a Very Good Year" in 1961. A friend asked him to write a song for Bob Shane of the Kingston Trio. Shane recorded it, and other folk singers also performed it. Later, in 1965, Frank Sinatra heard the song. He loved it so much that he recorded it for his album September of My Years. Sinatra's version became a Top 30 hit in the U.S.

Drake also wrote the words for the jazz classic "Good Morning Heartache" with composer Irene Higginbotham. Many artists have recorded this song, including Billie Holiday and Diana Ross. More recently, Gloria Estefan recorded it and even sang it to Ervin Drake on live TV.

Leading Songwriters

From 1973 to 1982, Ervin Drake was the first president of the American Guild of Authors and Composers. This group is now known as the Songwriters Guild of America. It helps protect the rights of songwriters.

Ervin Drake passed away on January 15, 2015, at his home in Great Neck, New York. He was almost 96 years old.

Awards and Honors

Ervin Drake received many special awards and honorary degrees during his life. He was added to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1983, which is a very high honor for songwriters.

On June 30, 2013, Five Towns College honored him by naming their popular music center the "Ervin Drake Popular Music Center."

Selected Works

Here are some of the songs and Broadway shows Ervin Drake worked on:

Songs

• "Now I Have Everything"
• "A Room without Windows"
• "Bachelor Girl"
• "I Believe"
• "Good Morning Heartache"
• "It Was a Very Good Year"
• "The Rickety Rickshaw Man"
• "I Wuv A Rabbit"
• "Who Are These Strangers"
• "I'm A Card Carrying Bleeding Heart Liberal"
• "One God"
• "Lying Beneath A Scrubby Palmetto"
• "I've Never Had The Pleasure"

English words written for songs from other languages:

• "Al di là"
• "Perdido"
• "Tico-Tico"
• "Quando Quando Quando"

Broadway Shows

• Heads or Tails (1947) - a play he co-wrote.
• What Makes Sammy Run? (1964) - he wrote the music and words for this musical.
• Her First Roman (1968) - he wrote the music, words, and story for this musical.
• Sophisticated Ladies (1981) - a show that featured his song "Perdido."
• Motown the Musical (2013) - featured his song "Good Morning Heartache."
• Billie Holiday (2014) - featured his song "Good Morning Heartache."

See also

In Spanish: Ervin Drake para niños