Walter Donaldson | |
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 Donaldson,c. 1926 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1893-02-15)February 15, 1893 New York City, United States |
| Died | July 15, 1947(1947-07-15) (aged 54) Santa Monica, California, United States |
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| Website | walterdonaldson |
Walter Donaldson (February 15, 1893 – July 15, 1947)[1] was a prolific American popular songwriter and publishing company founder, composing many hit songs of the 1910s to 1940s, that have become standards and form part of theGreat American Songbook.
Walter Donaldson was born inBrooklyn,New York, 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]
DuringWorld War I, Donaldson entertained troops atCamp 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 theUnited States Army in World War I, Donaldson was hired as a songwriter byIrving Berlin Music Company.[3] He stayed with Berlin until 1928, producing many hit songs, then in 1928 established his own publishing company.[4] 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 lyricistGus Kahn, after first working together in 1915.[5][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.[6]
At the end of the 1920s, Donaldson moved toHollywood,California, and worked composing and arranging music formotion pictures.[1][4] His film credits include work on such pictures asGlorifying the American Girl,Suzy,The Great Ziegfeld,Panama Hattie,Follow the Boys andWhat's Buzzin', Cousin?. He married Dorothy "Wally" 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 inSanta Monica, California,[3][4] after being ill for a year with kidney problems. He is buried at an unmarked grave at theHoly Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.
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