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Walter Donaldson (songwriter)

American writer and publisher of popular songs (1893–1947) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 the Great American Songbook.

Born(1893-02-15)February 15, 1893
New York City, United States
DiedJuly 15, 1947(1947-07-15) (aged 54)
Santa Monica, California, United States
Occupations
  • Composer
  • lyricist
  • publishing company entrepreneur
Websitewalterdonaldson.net
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Walter Donaldson
Donaldson, c. 1926
Donaldson, c. 1926
Background information
Born(1893-02-15)February 15, 1893
New York City, United States
DiedJuly 15, 1947(1947-07-15) (aged 54)
Santa Monica, California, United States
Occupations
  • Composer
  • lyricist
  • publishing company entrepreneur
Websitewalterdonaldson.net
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History

Walter Donaldson was born in Brooklyn, 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]

During World War I, Donaldson entertained troops at Camp 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 the United States Army in World War I, Donaldson was hired as a songwriter by Irving Berlin Music Company.[3] He stayed with Berlin until 1928, producing many hit songs. In 1928 he co-founded Donaldson, Douglas & Gumble, Inc. with Walter Douglas and Mose Gumble to publish both his own songs and the songs of others.[4]. Among the non-Donaldson hit songs that the firm published was the 1934 holiday standard Winter Wonderland.

Donaldson frequently worked with lyricist Gus 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 to Hollywood, California, and worked composing and arranging music for motion pictures.[1][4] His film credits include work on such pictures as Glorifying the American Girl, Suzy, The Great Ziegfeld, Panama Hattie, Follow the Boys and What'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 in Santa Monica, California,[3][4] after being ill for a year with kidney problems. He is buried at an unmarked grave at the Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.

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