Frank Loesser

Frank Henry Loesser ( June 29 , 1910 , New York City – July 26 , 1969 , New York City ) was an American Composer and Lyricist . He died of Lung Cancer at age 59.

During World War II , he wrote 1942's " Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition ". Formerly a successful lyricist in collaboration with other composers, this was the first song for which Loesser composed the melody in addition to the lyric.

Loesser was awarded a Grammy Award in 1961 for Best Original Cast Show Album for '' How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying ''.

He wrote the following Broadway musicals:

---" If I Were A Bell ", a favorite of Miles Davis , featured in recordings with John Coltrane

Some well-known songs he composed for movies and Tin Pan Alley :

" Baby, It's Cold Outside " (from '' Neptune's Daughter ''). This was originally a song which Loesser and his wife Lynn (born Blankenbaker) performed at parties for the private entertainment of friends. They also recorded the song for Mercury Records. Under contract to MGM to supply a full score for "Neptune's Daughter", Loesser included this song which he had created more than a decade earlier.

" Heart And Soul " (from the Paramount Short Subject ''A Song is Born'') -- lyrics

" I Don't Want To Walk Without You " (from the Paramount Pictures motion picture '' Sweater Girl '')

" Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year " (from the motion picture '' Christmas Holiday '')

"Wonderful Copenhagen" (from '' Hans Christian Andersen ''), which is now the official song of the city of Copenhagen.

EXTERNAL LINKS

http://freshair.npr.org/day_fa.jhtml?display=day&todayDate=12/29/2003 Interview with daughter Susan Loesser

http://songwritershalloffame.org/exhibit_bio.asp?exhibitId=230 Frank Loesser entry at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame

http://www.loessermovie.org/ ''Heart & Soul, The Life and Music of Frank Loesser'' (the definitive Frank Loesser documentary)

	CATEGORIES ABOUT FRANK LOESSER

	american songwriters

	loesser, frank

	american musical theatre composers

	american lyricists

	american theatre hall of fame inductees

	songwriters hall of fame inductees

	best song academy award winning songwriters

	pulitzer prize for drama winners

	grammy award winners

	lung cancer deaths

	1910 births

	1969 deaths

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