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George Gershwin music biography continued...

26, 1898, he began his musical career as a song-plugger on Tin Pan Alley, but was soon writing his own pieces. Gershwin�fs first published song, �gWhen You Want �eEm, You Can�ft Get �eEm,�h but he didn�ft strike it big until he met lyricist Irving Ceaser. Together they composed a number of songs including �gSwanee,�h which sold more than a million copies. In 1924, George collaborated with his brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin, on a musical comedy �gLady Be Good�h. It was the beginning of a partnership that would continue for the rest of the composer�fs life. Together they wrote many more successful musicals ranging from �gOh Kay!�h to �gFunny Face.�h Gershwin also wanted to keep a hand in classical music and at 25 composed �gRhapsody in Blue,�h a groundbreaking work that straddled with worlds of classical and jazz music. Gershwin followed this success with his orchestral work �gPiano Concerto in F, Rhapsody No. 2�� and �gAn American in Paris,�h which were all popular hits. In the early 1930s, Gershwin returned to composing for the Broadway musical and created such innovative and landmark musicals as 1935�fs �gPorgy and Bess,�h which is now recognized as one of the seminal works of American opera, it included such memorable songs as �gIt Ain�ft Necessarily So,�h �gI Loves You, Porgy,�h and �gSummertime.�h



In 1937, after many successes on Broadway, the Gershwin brothers decided go to Hollywood. They teamed up with Fred Astaire, who was now paired with Ginger Rogers. They made the musical film, �gShall We Dance�h, which included such hits as �gLet�fs Call the Whole Thing Off�h and �gThey Can�ft Take That Away From Me.�h Soon after came �gA Damsel in Distress�h, in which Astaire appeared with Joan Fontaine. After becoming ill while working on a film, Gershwin had plans to return to New York to work on writing serious music. He planned a string quartet, a ballet and another opera, but these pieces were never written. At the age of 38, he died of a brain tumor. Today he remains one of America�fs most beloved popular musicians.