Died On This Date (August 5, 1962) Marilyn Monroe
themusicsover Marilyn Monroe
(Born Norma Jean Mortenson, baptized Norma Jean Baker)
June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
Although better known for her other iconic attributes, Marilyn Monroe definitely earned herself a spot in pop music history. After a less-than-spectacular childhood and early adult life, Monroe signed a contract with 20th Century Fox who began her with acting, singing and dancing lessons. Fox quickly dropped her. She was quickly picked up by Columbia Pictures who gave her first significant part in the 1949 musical, Ladies Of The Chorus, in which she sang two numbers. Four years later, she was well on her way to becoming a superstar, co-starring in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, where she performed the scene-stealing “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend.” in 1954, Monroe signed to RCA Victor Records and co-starred in the hit musical, There’s No Business Like Show Business. Throughout her career, she added her distinctive voice to songs written by the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer, and Irving Berlin. Perhaps her most lasting musical impression came on May 19, 1962 when she lead a Madison Square Garden crowd a sultry rendition of “Happy Birthday To You” for President John F. Kennedy. Three months later, 36-year-old Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her home of a barbiturate overdose. It will perhaps never be known if her death was accidental, suicide or murder.
What You Should Own
Johnny Mercer was a popular songwriter whose many songs made stars out of their singers during the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. He gave us such standards as “Days Of Wine And Roses,” “P.S. I Love You,” “Jeepers Creepers,” “Day In, Day Out,” and “Hooray For Hollywood” to name just a few. Mercer moved to Hollywood in 1935 and became one if the most in-demand songwriters in film. In 1942 he along with Buddy DeSylva and Glen Wallichs started Capitol Records where I used to work. In 1975, Mercer learned he had an inoperable brain tumor which lead to his death on June 25, 1976.
Jimmy Van Heusen was an Emmy nominated, Golden Globe nominated and multi-Academy Award winning composer of film and television music. After college, Van Heusen went to work playing the piano for several publishers of the storied Tin Pan Alley. During that time, he became an extremely prolific tunesmith, ultimately penning the music for over 800 songs. More than 50 of those have become standards. Over the course of his career, he collaborated with the likes of 
Hoagy Carmichael was a highly influential composer and musician who, over the course of a career that spanned from 1918 to 1981 wrote three of the most recorded songs in history. They are “Stardust,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and “Heart and Soul.” Over the years, he collaborated with the likes of 