Vincent Youmans

Vincent Youmans (September 27, 1898 - April 5, 1946) was an American popular composer and Broadway producer.

Related Topics:
September 27 - 1898 - April 5 - 1946 - American - Broadway

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He was born in New York, New York and was a runner for a Wall Street brokerage firm. He was drafted to fight in World War I. He took an interest in the theatre when he produced troop shows for the Navy. After the war he was a Tin Pan Alley song plugger and a rehearsal pianist, and collaborated with lyricist Ira Gershwin on the score for Two Little Girls in Blue, which won wide acclaim. His next show, with lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II, was Wildflower. His most enduring success, was No, No, Nanette, with lyrics by Irving Caesar.

Related Topics:
New York, New York - World War I - Tin Pan Alley - Ira Gershwin - Otto Harbach - Oscar Hammerstein II - No, No, Nanette - Irving Caesar

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After Hit the Deck, Rainbow and Take a Chance, his career faded, in part due to heavy drinking. An attempted comeback with a ballet revue in 1943 was a commercial and artistic failure.

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The two hit songs from No, No, Nanette, "Tea for Two" and "I Want to Be Happy" are considered standards.

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He died of tuberculosis in Denver, Colorado

Related Topics:
Tuberculosis - Denver, Colorado

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