Al Stillman

Al Stillman (né Albert Irving Silverman; 26 June 1901 Manhattan, New York[1] – 17 February 1979 Manhattan, New York)[2] was an American lyricist.

Al Stillman
Birth nameAlbert Irving Silverman
Born(1901-06-26)June 26, 1901
New York City, U.S.A.
DiedFebruary 17, 1979(1979-02-17) (aged 77)
New York City, U.S.A.
Occupation(s)Lyricist

Biography

Stillman was born to Jewish parents[3] Herman Silverman and Gertrude Rubin (maiden). He adopted the name "Albert Stillman" as a professional pseudonym. He chose the name, reportedly, because it was the recognizable surname of a well-known New York banking family. He was Jewish.[4] He attended New York University. After graduation, he contributed to Franklin P. Adams' newspaper column, and in 1933 became a staff writer at Radio City Music Hall, a position he held for almost 40 years.

Stillman collaborated with a number of composers: Fred Ahlert, Robert Allen, Percy Faith, George Gershwin, Ernesto Lecuona, Paul McGrane, Kay Swift, and Arthur Schwartz. Many of his collaborations with Allen were major hits in the 1950s for The Four Lads; the Stillman/Allen team also wrote hit songs for Perry Como and Johnny Mathis.

Stillman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1982.

Songs for which Stillman wrote lyrics

Perry Como hits

Four Lads hits

Johnny Mathis hits

Music by Ernesto Lecuona

Others

Stage shows with scores by Stillman
  • Howdy
  • Icetime of 1948
  • It Happens on Ice
  • Mr. Ice
  • Stars on Ice
  • Virginia

Movies to which Stillman contributed songs

Family

Stillman, on September 29, 1939, married Pauline Reinfmann (née Patia Reinfmann aka Kaufman; 1906–1990) in Fort Lee, New Jersey.[7] She was born in Russia and became a U.S. naturalized citizen March 22, 1943, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Pauline's sister, Anna "Billie" Swan (née Anna Kaufman; 1905–1992), married, on August 7, 1925, in Manhattan to Einar Aaron Swan (1903–1940), an arranger and composer.

References
  1. "Albert Irving Silverman," Birth Certificate, New York City Births, 1846–1909, (accessible via FamilySearch, registration required, but is free)
  2. "Albert Stillman" (obituary), The New York Times, February 19, 1979, p. D5
  3. Bloom, Nate (December 22, 2014). "All those Holiday/Christmas Songs: So Many Jewish Songwriters!". Jewish World Review.
  4. Bloom, Nate (2006-12-19). "The Jews Who Wrote Christmas Songs". InterfaithFamily. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-12-19.
  5. Twist & Shout: The Golden Age of American Rock 'N Roll Volume III 1960-1963. Pierian Press. 2002. p. 272. ISBN 978-0964658844.
  6. "Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra – Samba with Cugat (1948, Shellac)". Discogs. August 1948.
  7. "New Jersey Marriage Index – Brides: Pauline Kaufman," (1939)
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