Robert Allen (song composer)

Robert Allen Deitcher (February 5, 1927 – October 1, 2000) was an American pianist and an arranger and writer of music for popular songs. [1]

Biography

Allen was born to a Jewish family[2] in Troy, New York and had 4 children: a son, Gordon, and 3 daughters, Pamela, Diana, and Katie.

He was an accompanist for Perry Como, Peter Lind Hayes, and Arthur Godfrey. Many of his compositions were collaborations with lyricist Al Stillman. Allen lived in New Rochelle, New York from 1963, much of his professional life. Three of his most famous songs were: "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays","Everybody Loves a Lover" and "Chances Are".[3]

Robert Allen died in Quogue, New York of colon cancer at the age of 73. [1]

Songs written by Robert Allen

Lyrics by Al Stillman

Perry Como hits
  • "Noodlin' Rag" (1952)
  • "Sweetheart's Holiday" (1952)
  • "To Know You (Is to Love You)" (1952, redone in 1959)
  • "You Are Never Far Away (From Me)" (1952, redone in 1958)
  • "Home for the Holidays" (1954)
  • "My One and Only Heart" (1953)
  • "You Alone (Solo Tu)" (1953, redone in 1961)
  • "Door of Dreams" (1955)

Four Lads hits

Johnny Mathis hits

Other hits

With Richard Adler

Others

References
  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20180624204803/https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/05/arts/robert-allen-73-whose-songs-were-sung-by-an-array-of-stars.html
  2. Bloom, Nate (December 22, 2014). "All those Holiday/Christmas Songs: So Many Jewish Songwriters!". Jewish World Review.
  3. Music Makers Of New Rochelle

Sources

  • ASCAP Biographical Dictionary, 4th ed. 1980. ISBN 0-8352-1283-1.
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