Ever wonder where a musical legend spent his final years? Here stands a tribute to Irving Berlin. This is the Irving Berlin Plaque. It commemorates the house where Irving Berlin lived for 42 years. He lived here until his death in 1989 at the age of 101.
Irving Berlin was one of America’s most prolific songwriters. He composed over 1500 songs. His work spanned many musicals and films.
Born Israel Baline in Russia in 1888 Irving Berlin’s family immigrated to New York. They were escaping persecution of the Jewish community. As a teen, he sang on the streets. He later became a singing waiter in Chinatown.
His first published tune was in 1907. It was titled Marie From Sunny Italy. His name was misspelled I. Berlin on the sheet music. He liked the name and kept it.
In 1911, Irving Berlin released a major hit. It was Alexander’s Ragtime Band. This earned him the nickname King of Tin Pan Alley. He taught himself piano. He couldn’t read music.
Irving Berlin started writing musicals as well. His Broadway debut was Watch Your Step in 1914. He became a U.S. citizen in 1916. He served in World War I and wrote Yip! Yip! Yaphank! as an Army fundraiser.
Irving Berlin married Dorothy Goetz in 1912. Sadly, she died months later. He expressed his sorrow in When I Lost You. Years later, he fell in love with Ellin Mackay. Her father disapproved. Irving Berlin wrote What’ll I Do and Always. The couple eloped and had four children. They were married until Mackay’s death in 1988.
With Victor Herbert, he co-founded ASCAP. This is the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. In 1919, he founded the Irving Berlin Music Corporation. This gave him control of his copyrights.
His big-screen works included Puttin’ on the Ritz. Also Alexander’s Ragtime Band and Easter Parade. He wrote songs for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films. Top Hat featured Cheek to Cheek. Holiday Inn showcased White Christmas. White Christmas became the highest-selling tune ever.
Irving Berlin shaped patriotic fervor too. He composed God Bless America. Kate Smith first sang it in 1938. It became an unofficial national anthem. After the war, he had Broadway gold. Annie Get Your Gun starred Ethel Merman. It featured Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better. There’s No Business Like Show Business was also a hit.
He was nominated for nine Academy Awards. He won in 1943 for White Christmas. Many of his songs became standards. They have been covered by countless artists.
After the 1962 musical Mr. President, Irving Berlin retired. He spent time in his Catskill Mountains home. He withdrew from public appearances. He continued to receive praise for his contributions.
The Luxembourg House on Beekman Place became his home. The building now houses the Permanent Mission of Luxembourg to the UN. It also holds the Consulate General of Luxembourg. Also the Luxembourg Tourist Office.
So here stands the Irving Berlin Plaque. It marks the spot where a true American genius spent his final days creating timeless music.