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Jerry Ross | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jerold Rosenberg (1926-03-09)March 9, 1926 The Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | November 11, 1955(1955-11-11) (aged 29) |
| Occupations | Lyricist, composer |
Jerry Ross (bornJerold Rosenberg; March 9, 1926 – November 11, 1955) was an American lyricist and composer whose works withRichard Adler for themusical theater includeThe Pajama Game andDamn Yankees, winners ofTony Awards in 1955 and 1956, respectively, in both the "Best Musical" and "Best Composer and Lyricist" categories.
Jerold Rosenberg was born inthe Bronx, New York City, to aRussian-Jewish household,[1] to immigrant parents, Lena and Jacob Rosenberg. Growing up, he was a professional singer and actor in theYiddish theater.[2]
Following high school, he studied atNew York University under Rudolph Schramm. Introductions to singerEddie Fisher and others brought him into contact with music publishers at theBrill Building, the center of songwriting activity in New York. (Fisher later had a hit with Ross’The Newspaper Song.)
Ross metRichard Adler in 1950,[2] and as a duo they became protégés of the great composer, lyricist, and publisherFrank Loesser. Their songRags to Riches was recorded byTony Bennett and reached number 1 on the charts in 1953.[2] They also had a jazz novelty hit withAnita O'Day's recording of "No Soap, No Hope Blues".[3]
Adler and Ross began their career in the Broadway theater withJohn Murray Anderson's Almanac, a revue for which they provided most of the songs (resulting in recordings ofAcorn in the Meadow byHarry Belafonte andFini byPolly Bergen). The revue opened in 1953 and ran for 229 performances.[4]
Adler and Ross's second effort,The Pajama Game, opened on Broadway in May 1954. It was a popular as well as critical success, running for 1063 performances. The show won the 1955Tony Award for Best Musical[5] as well as theDonaldson Award and theVariety Drama Critics Award. Two songs from the show, "Hernando's Hideaway" (forArchie Bleyer) and "Hey There" (forRosemary Clooney), topped theHit Parade. Other notable songs were "Steam Heat" (choreographed on stage byBob Fosse), "Small Talk", and "Seven and a Half Cents".
Their next musical,Damn Yankees, opened on Broadway in 1955, starringGwen Verdon. The musical ran for 1,019 performances. Adler and Ross, as composer and lyricist, shared in the 1956Tony Award for Best Musical.[6] Pop hits from the show were "Heart", recorded byEddie Fisher, and "Whatever Lola Wants" forSarah Vaughan.
Jerry Ross died on November 11, 1955, at the age of 29, from complications related to the lung diseasebronchiectasis. In his short life, Ross was extremely productive; he wrote, alone or in collaboration, more than 250 songs in addition to his theatre work.
Ross was entered posthumously into theSongwriters Hall of Fame in 1982,[7] his widow, Judy, and daughter, Janie, accepting on his behalf.
