Jacob Gershowitz, later known as George Gershwin, was born on September 26, 1898, in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. As a young boy, he demonstrated a remarkable talent for music, able to play popular and classical works on his brother Ira's piano by ear.
In 1913, Gershwin left school to pursue a career in music, beginning to compose for Tin Pan Alley. By 1919, he had already achieved his first major success with the hit song "Swanee" and his first Broadway show "La, La, Lucille."
In the years that followed, Gershwin's musical talents continued to flourish. In 1924, he composed the iconic "Rhapsody in Blue" for Paul Whiteman's swing band, later orchestrated by Ferde Grofé. The following year, he wrote "Concerto in F," and in 1926, his musical "Oh, Kay!" debuted, featuring the hit song "Someone to Watch Over Me."
Gershwin's success continued to soar, with the release of "Funny Face" in 1927, the tone poem "An American in Paris" in 1928, "Girl Crazy" in 1929, "Of Thee I Sing" in 1931, which became the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize, and the groundbreaking opera "Porgy and Bess" in 1935.
In the late 1930s, Gershwin relocated to Hollywood, where his music was featured in films starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. During this time, he fell deeply in love with actress Paulette Goddard, who was married to Charlie Chaplin. Despite his devotion, she refused to leave her husband for him, leaving Gershwin heartbroken.
In June 1937, Gershwin's health began to decline, and he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent surgery, but tragically, the tumor was inoperable, and he passed away just five hours after the procedure. Funerals were held in both Hollywood and New York, in tribute to the life and legacy of this musical genius.
