David Rose (songwriter)
David Rose | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | David Daniel Rose |
Born | London, England | June 15, 1910
Died | August 23, 1990 Burbank, California, U.S. | (aged 80)
Occupation(s) | Songwriter, composer, arranger, orchestra leader |
Years active | 1939–1990 |
David Daniel Rose (June 15, 1910 – August 23, 1990)[1] was a British-born American songwriter, composer, arranger, pianist, and orchestra leader. His best known compositions were "The Stripper", "Holiday for Strings", and "Calypso Melody". He also wrote music for many television series, including It's a Great Life, The Tony Martin Show, Little House on the Prairie, Highway to Heaven, Bonanza, Leave It to Beaver, and Highway Patrol, some under the pseudonym Ray Llewellyn.[2]
Rose's work as a composer for television programs earned him four Emmys.[3] In addition, he was musical director for The Red Skelton Show during its 21-year run on the CBS and NBC networks. He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the national fraternity for men in music.
Career
Rose was born in
He composed several early swing originals, such as "Break It Down", with Frankie Trumbauer, "Transcontinental," "Plantation Moods," and a piece recorded under three different titles: "I've Got It", "Itchola", and "Jigsaw Rhythm", his original version with the WGN band including Louis Prima.
Radio
Rose was asked to work in Hollywood, where he formed his orchestra, doing a twice-weekly radio show for Mutual Broadcasting System called California Melodies,[5] writing all the broadcast arrangements. He worked his way up to becoming music director of the Mutual network.[6] Rose's first try at composing was his hit song "Holiday for Strings".[4] During World War II, Rose entered the Army, first meeting Red Skelton while both were enlisted. Skelton asked Rose to become the conductor for his Raleigh Cigarette Program. Rose joined the cast in 1948 and worked with Skelton on his television show for over 20 years.[4][7]
In 1942, Rose and his orchestra provided the music for Tune Up, America! on Mutual. The program provided "recognition of the efforts of women engaged in war work".[8]
Recording
In 1955, Rose was commissioned by
In 1957, his rendition of
"The Stripper", released in 1962, was composed by Rose in 1958 for a television special saluting burlesque. The song featured especially prominent trombone lines, giving the tune its lascivious signature, evoking the feel of music used to accompany burlesque striptease artists.[4] Four years after the song was recorded, MGM Records wanted to rush-release Rose's recording of "[Ebb Tide" as a 45-rpm single but needed a B-side. An office boy perused Rose's tapes searching for one, and "The Stripper" was chosen.[10] It became a surprise hit, receiving considerable radio play.
"Holiday for Strings" became well known as the theme for Red Skelton's programs. A parody version, retitled "Holiday for States", was recorded as a vocal by Allan Sherman, with the straight melody but with ersatz lyrics consisting of the names of American states.
Personal life
Rose was married on October 8, 1938, to actress Martha Raye.[11] The couple divorced on May 19, 1941.
Rose married for a second time, on July 28, 1941, to actress and singer Judy Garland.[12] They had no children, though Garland, according to biographer Gerald Clarke, underwent at least one abortion during the marriage, at the insistence of her mother, her husband, and her motion picture studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Garland and Rose divorced in 1944.
He had two daughters with his third wife, Betty Bartholomew (m. 1948 until his death in 1990).[13] His granddaughter is singer-songwriter Samantha James.[4]
Rose was a live steam hobbyist, with his own backyard railroad.[14]
Death
Rose died of a heart attack in Burbank, California, at the age of 80. He was buried in Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Hollywood Hills, California.
Music
Films
- Bright Road (1953)
- Confidentially Connie (1953)
- Hombre (1967)
- Never Too Late (1965)
- Operation Petticoat (1959)
- Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960)
- Public Pigeon No. 1 (1957)
- Quick Before It Melts(1964)
- Sam's Son (1984)
- The Birdmen (1971)
- The Clown (1953)
- The Princess and the Pirate (1944)
- The Underworld Story (1950)
- This Rebel Breed (1960)
- Young Man with Ideas (1952)
Television
- Bonanza (1971 Emmy)
- Dundee and the Culhane
- Father Murphy
- Highway Patrol
- Highway to Heaven
- Little House on the Prairie (1979 and 1982 Emmys)
- Men into Space
- Mr. Adams and Eve
- Sea Hunt
- The High Chaparral
- The Red Skelton Show
Broadway
Singles
- "Calypso Melody" (US No. 42, 1957)
- "Holiday For Strings" (US No. 2, 1944)
- "Poinciana (Song of the Tree)" (US No. 11, 1944)
- "Swinging Shepherd Blues" (US No. 50, 1958)
- "The Stripper" (US No. 1, 1962)
Albums
- Like Blue (with André Previn) – MGM Records 1960
References
- ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
- ^ "Mysteries of TV Music". Classicthemes.com. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ "Emmy Awards Database-David Rose". Emmys.com. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Composer, Conductor David Rose Dies". The Pittsburgh Press. August 25, 1990. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ISBN 9780826264114. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
- ISBN 0-7864-1732-3. Retrieved July 17, 2011.
- ^ Colfer, Elliot. "Program Reviews: Tune Up, America!". No. March 21, 1942. Billboard. p. 8.
- ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ Bacon, James (July 21, 1964). "Beatles Hit in New Film; Rose Is Happy". Gettysburg Times. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ "Comedienne Martha Raye And Sixth Hubby Part". The Rock Hill Herald. August 17, 1959. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ "Judy Garland Dead". The Windsor Star. June 23, 1969. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ "Obituary Betty Jane (Bartholomew) Rose". Los Angeles Times. July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ Thomas, Bob (July 16, 1958). "Red Skelton's Conductor Steam Engine Enthusiast". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Retrieved May 19, 2011.