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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZGREEN, Johnny(b 10 Oct. '08, NYC; d 15 May '89, Beverly Hills CA) Composer, conductor, pianist; led own band '33--41. Collaborated with Ira Gershwin, Yip Harburg, Johnny Mercer, Billy Rose, Paul Francis Webster, others; most famous for first hit 'Coquette' '28, 'Body And Soul' and 'I'm Yours' '30 (latter a hit for Eddie Fisher '52), '(You Came Along From) Out Of Nowhere' '31, 'I Cover The Waterfront' and 'You're Mine, You' '33, 'Easy Come, Easy Go' '34 (featured in film about dance marathons They Shoot Horses, Don't They? '70). Much radio work, on staff at CBS '30s; settled in Hollywood '42; important role at MGM brought five Oscars: he worked on films Easter Parade '48, Summer Stock '50, An American In Paris and The Great Caruso '51, Brigadoon '54, High Society '55, Raintree County '57, West Side Story '61, Bye Bye Birdie '63, many more. As guest conductor of symphony orchestras he became a more dignified John Green. |