Irving Berlin

USA, 1907–1962

American songwriter (1888-1989), born in Imperial Russia and raised on the Lower East Side. Self-taught and unable to read music, he wrote some 1,500 songs, among them 'Alexander's Ragtime Band', 'White Christmas' and 'God Bless America'.

MusicRoots documents 0 artists who influenced Irving Berlin and 2 artists Irving Berlin influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Which artists did Irving Berlin influence?

• George Gershwin — Gershwin called Berlin America's Franz Schubert and the greatest songwriter who ever lived; Berlin's songs were part of what drew him to write for the Broadway stage.
• Cole Porter — Porter envied Berlin the Lower East Side apprenticeship he never had, and set out to copy it: the minor-key turn in 'Night and Day' and 'Begin the Beguine' is what he meant by writing 'little Jewish songs'.