David Bianculli

We're remembering composer Charles Strauss, who died last week at the age of 96. He wrote the music and won Tony Awards for the Broadway hits Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, and Applause. One of his lesser-known works is the 1964 musical Golden Boy. It was based on the 1937 play of the same name by Clifford Odets, who also wrote the musical adaptation. The 1964 musical starred Sammy Davis Jr.

We're remembering composer Charles Strauss, who died last week at the age of 96. He wrote the music and won Tony Awards for the Broadway hits Bye Bye Birdie, Annie, and Applause. One of his lesser-known works is the 1964 musical Golden Boy. It was based on the 1937 play of the same name by Clifford Odets, who also wrote the musical adaptation. The 1964 musical starred Sammy Davis Jr.

as a man who breaks out of Harlem by becoming a prizefighter. Terry Gross spoke to Charles Strauss again in 2002 when Golden Boy was being revived as part of the City Center Encore series, Great American Musicals in Concert. They began with one of the songs from the show called Night Song.

as a man who breaks out of Harlem by becoming a prizefighter. Terry Gross spoke to Charles Strauss again in 2002 when Golden Boy was being revived as part of the City Center Encore series, Great American Musicals in Concert. They began with one of the songs from the show called Night Song.

as a man who breaks out of Harlem by becoming a prizefighter. Terry Gross spoke to Charles Strauss again in 2002 when Golden Boy was being revived as part of the City Center Encore series, Great American Musicals in Concert. They began with one of the songs from the show called Night Song.

The singer is Sammy Davis Jr., and the lyricist is Lee Adams, who previously had collaborated with Strauss on the 1960 musical Bye Bye Birdie. ¶¶

The singer is Sammy Davis Jr., and the lyricist is Lee Adams, who previously had collaborated with Strauss on the 1960 musical Bye Bye Birdie. ¶¶

The singer is Sammy Davis Jr., and the lyricist is Lee Adams, who previously had collaborated with Strauss on the 1960 musical Bye Bye Birdie. ¶¶

Composer Charles Strauss speaking to Terry Gross in 2002. He died last week at the age of 96. More after a break. This is Fresh Air.

Composer Charles Strauss speaking to Terry Gross in 2002. He died last week at the age of 96. More after a break. This is Fresh Air.

Composer Charles Strauss speaking to Terry Gross in 2002. He died last week at the age of 96. More after a break. This is Fresh Air.

Charles Strauss speaking to Terry Gross in 2002. We couldn't end this tribute without considering the impact of perhaps his most enduring musical. In 2010, Terry spoke with the rapper Jay-Z about how one of the songs from Annie inspired his own distinctly different interpretation.

Charles Strauss speaking to Terry Gross in 2002. We couldn't end this tribute without considering the impact of perhaps his most enduring musical. In 2010, Terry spoke with the rapper Jay-Z about how one of the songs from Annie inspired his own distinctly different interpretation.

Charles Strauss speaking to Terry Gross in 2002. We couldn't end this tribute without considering the impact of perhaps his most enduring musical. In 2010, Terry spoke with the rapper Jay-Z about how one of the songs from Annie inspired his own distinctly different interpretation.

Jay-Z speaking with Terry Gross in 2010 about his Hard Knock Life ghetto anthem. When Terry talked to Charles Strauss back in 2002, she asked him about that version.

Jay-Z speaking with Terry Gross in 2010 about his Hard Knock Life ghetto anthem. When Terry talked to Charles Strauss back in 2002, she asked him about that version.

Jay-Z speaking with Terry Gross in 2010 about his Hard Knock Life ghetto anthem. When Terry talked to Charles Strauss back in 2002, she asked him about that version.

Charles Strauss speaking to Terry Gross in 2002. The composer of the music for Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, and Annie died last week. He was 96 years old. Coming up, critic-at-large John Powers reviews Mission Impossible, The Final Reckoning. This is Fresh Air.

Charles Strauss speaking to Terry Gross in 2002. The composer of the music for Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, and Annie died last week. He was 96 years old. Coming up, critic-at-large John Powers reviews Mission Impossible, The Final Reckoning. This is Fresh Air.

Charles Strauss speaking to Terry Gross in 2002. The composer of the music for Bye Bye Birdie, Applause, and Annie died last week. He was 96 years old. Coming up, critic-at-large John Powers reviews Mission Impossible, The Final Reckoning. This is Fresh Air.