A light went out in 1937 in American Popular Music. George Gershwin died of a brain tumor. He was about two months shy of his 39th birthday.
Gershwin’s compositions ranged from the classical to jazz to opera, from “Rhapsody in Blue” to “Strike Up the Band!” to “Porgy and Bess”. Brother Ira wrote the lyrics for their many songs, including the ones sung by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the 1937 movie, Shall We Dance?.
Gershwin fans will find a treasure trove of information and a delightful jukebox full of music sung by the likes of Mel Tormé Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, and more contemporary artists like Jon Bon Jovi, on the official Gershwin website, Gershwin.com. All Gershwin tunes, of course.