Con Conrad
Encyclopedia
Con Conrad was an American
songwriter and producer.
. He published his first song, "Down in Dear Old New Orleans", in 1912. Conrad produced the Broadway show The Honeymoon Express, starring Al Jolson
, in 1913. By 1918, Conrad was writing and publishing with Henry Waterson and had his first major hit in 1920 with the song Margie. Over the next several years, he would also be responsible for such standards as "Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me", "You’ve Got to See Your Mama Every Night", "Memory Lane", "Lonesome and Sorry" , "Palesteena
" and "Come on Spark Plug".
In 1923 Conrad focused on the stage and wrote the scores for the Broadway
shows: The Greenwich Follies, Moonlight, Betty Lee, Kitty’s Kisses and Americana. In 1929 he moved to Hollywood after losing all of his money on unsuccessful shows. There he worked on films such as: Fox Movietone Follies, Palmy Days, The Gay Divorcee
and Here’s to Romance.
Conrad received the first Academy Award
for Best Song for The Continental
in 1934 along with collaborator Herb Magidson
. He died four years later in Van Nuys, California
.
Conrad was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
in 1970.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
songwriter and producer.
Biography
Con Conrad was born Conrad K. Dober in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He published his first song, "Down in Dear Old New Orleans", in 1912. Conrad produced the Broadway show The Honeymoon Express, starring Al Jolson
Al Jolson
Al Jolson was an American singer, comedian and actor. In his heyday, he was dubbed "The World's Greatest Entertainer"....
, in 1913. By 1918, Conrad was writing and publishing with Henry Waterson and had his first major hit in 1920 with the song Margie. Over the next several years, he would also be responsible for such standards as "Ma, He’s Making Eyes at Me", "You’ve Got to See Your Mama Every Night", "Memory Lane", "Lonesome and Sorry" , "Palesteena
Palesteena
"Palesteena", or, "Lena from Palesteena", was a 1920 song, with lyrics by Con Conrad, and music by J. Russell Robinson.It was originally recorded and performed by the Original Dixieland Jass Band, a band of New Orleans jazz musicians, who released it as an instrumental as a Victor 78, 18717-B, in...
" and "Come on Spark Plug".
In 1923 Conrad focused on the stage and wrote the scores for the Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
shows: The Greenwich Follies, Moonlight, Betty Lee, Kitty’s Kisses and Americana. In 1929 he moved to Hollywood after losing all of his money on unsuccessful shows. There he worked on films such as: Fox Movietone Follies, Palmy Days, The Gay Divorcee
The Gay Divorcee
The Gay Divorcee is a 1934 American film based on the musical play Gay Divorce written by Dwight Taylor, Kenneth S. Webb, Samuel Hoffenstein, with screenplay by George Marion Jr., Dorothy Yost and Edward Kaufman, from an unproduced play by J. Hartley Manners...
and Here’s to Romance.
Conrad received the first Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
for Best Song for The Continental
The Continental (song)
"The Continental" is a song written by Con Conrad with lyrics by Herb Magidson, and was introduced by Ginger Rogers in the 1934 film, The Gay Divorcee. "The Continental" won the first Academy Award for Best Original Song to be awarded. Major record hits at the time of introduction included Jolly...
in 1934 along with collaborator Herb Magidson
Herb Magidson
Herbert A. "Herb" Magidson was an American popular lyricist. His work was used in over 23 films and four Broadway reviews. He won the first Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1934....
. He died four years later in Van Nuys, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Conrad was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. It was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and music publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The goal is to create a museum but as of April, 2008, the means do not yet exist and so instead it is an online...
in 1970.
External links
- Con Conrad's entry at the Songwriters' Hall of Fame
- Sheet Music for "Margie", Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co., 1920.