Mort Shuman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mort Shuman
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| Background information | |
| Born | 12 November 1938 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Died | 2 November 1991 (aged 52) London, England |
| Genres | Rock and roll |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, pianist, songwriter |
| Associated acts | Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, Doc Pomus |
Mortimer Shuman (born November 12, 1938 – died November 2, 1991) was an American singer, piano player, and songwriter. He is most famous for helping to write many popular rock and roll songs in the 1960s. One of his most well-known songs is "Viva Las Vegas".
Mort Shuman also wrote and sang many songs in French. These songs became big hits in France and other European countries. Some of these popular French songs include "Le Lac Majeur" and "Brooklyn by the Sea".
Contents
Mort Shuman's Early Life and Music Career
Mort Shuman was born in Brooklyn, New York, in the United States. His parents were Jewish immigrants from Poland. He went to Abraham Lincoln High School. After high school, he studied music at the New York Conservatory.
He loved R&B music. Mort Shuman met another songwriter named Doc Pomus. They became a songwriting team. They worked for a music company called Aldon Music in New York City. Their office was in the famous Brill Building.
How Mort Shuman Wrote Songs
When Mort Shuman and Doc Pomus wrote songs together, Doc Pomus usually wrote the words (lyrics). Mort Shuman usually wrote the music (melody). Sometimes, they both worked on the words and the music.
Many famous artists recorded their songs. These artists included Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin, and The Drifters. Some of their most famous songs are "Save The Last Dance For Me", "This Magic Moment", and "Viva Las Vegas".
Moving to London and Paris
In the 1960s, British bands became very popular in America. This was called the "British invasion". Because of this, Mort Shuman and Doc Pomus moved to London, England. They wrote songs for many British musicians there.
Their songwriting partnership ended in 1965. After that, Mort Shuman moved to Paris, France. In Paris, he wrote songs for French singers like Johnny Hallyday. He also started his own career as a singer. One of his big hits in the early 1970s was "(Il Neige Sur) Le Lac Majeur".
Mort Shuman also wrote songs for musicals. He wrote a musical called Budgie. He also wrote songs for British singers like Cilla Black.
Working on Musicals and Films
In 1968, Mort Shuman worked on a successful musical show. It was called Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. He helped change the French words of songs by a Belgian composer named Jacques Brel.
Some songs from this show were later recorded by other famous singers. Mort Shuman even acted in the stage show and the movie version of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.
He also wrote music for many movies. Most of these were French films. Some of his movie scores include A Day at the Beach (1970) and Monsieur Papa (1977). He also worked with Israeli singer Mike Brant.
Mort Shuman sometimes worked as an actor too. He appeared in the movie The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane with Jodie Foster. He was also the music supervisor for that film.
Later Life and Legacy
Mort Shuman passed away from cancer on November 2, 1991. He left behind his wife, Maria-Pia, and their four daughters. His songwriting partner, Doc Pomus, had also passed away earlier that same year.
Awards and Recognition
Mort Shuman was honored for his amazing songwriting. He was chosen for the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992.
In 2010, he received the Ahmet Ertegun Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His early partner, Doc Pomus, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
Selected Music Albums
- Imagine (1976) - This album sold very well in France.
- À Nous Les Petites Anglaises! (1990)
- Distant Drum (1991)
Selected Hit Songs
- "Le Lac Majeur" (1973) - This song was a number one hit in the Netherlands.
- "La splendeur de Rome" (1974)
- "Imagine" (1976)
- "Machines" (1980)
Selected Film Work
(Mort Shuman was the composer unless noted otherwise)
- A Day at the Beach (1970)
- Romance of a Horsethief (1971)
- Black Thursday (1974)
- Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris (1975) (Actor and lyricist)
- The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976) (Actor)
- A Guy Like Me Should Never Die (1976) (Actor and composer)
- Let's Get Those English Girls (1976)
- A Real Young Girl (1976)
- High Street (1976) (Actor and composer)
- La Nuit de Saint-Germain-des-Prés (1977) (Actor and composer)
- The More It Goes, the Less It Goes (1977) (Actor and composer)
- Monsieur Papa (1977)
- Holiday Hotel (1978)
- The Associate (1979)
- Psy (1981)
- Cent Francs L'amour (1986)
