Gus Kahn

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Gustav Gerson Kahn (November 6, 1886 – October 8, 1941) was a famous Jewish-German-American musician, songwriter and lyricist.

Born in Koblenz, Germany, Kahn and his family moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1890. He began his musical career writing lyrics for vaudeville acts, graduating later to Broadway and Hollywood musicals. With his wife Grace LeBoy he wrote one of Al Jolson's first hits, "Everybody Rag With Me," in 1916. His most famous songs include "It Had To Be You" (1924) with music by Isham Jones and "Makin' Whoopee!" (1928), with music by Walter Donaldson. Kahn was also the lyricist for the Ted Healy/Three Stooges short film Beer and Pretzels (1933), with music by Al Goodhart. Danny Thomas played Kahn in the 1951 biographical film I'll See You in My Dreams.

On his passing in 1941, Gus Kahn was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

[edit] Selected Songs

• "Everybody Rag With Me" (1914)
• "Ain't We Got Fun?" (1921)
• "Carolina in the Morning" (1922)
• "Toot Toot Tootsie" (1922)
• "Charley, My Boy" (1924)
• "I'll See You in My Dreams" (1924)
• "It Had to Be You" (1924)
• "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" (1925)
• "Side by Side" (1927)
• "Love Me or Leave Me" (1928)
• "Makin' Whoopee" (1928)
• "My Baby Just Cares for Me" (1930)
• "Dream a Little Dream of Me" (1931) (music: Fabian Andre/Wilbur Schwandt)

[edit] Work for Broadway Theater

• Holka Polka (1925) - musical
• Kitty's Kisses (1926) - musical
• Whoopee! (1928, revival in 1979) - musical
• Show Girl (1929) - revue

[edit] External links

• Gus Kahn at the Internet Broadway Database
• Gus Kahn at the Songwriters Hall of Fame