Michael Owen

And if you looked at some of the archival material that I used in writing this book and went through Ira's papers as I did, you can see the vast amount of changes and ideas that flowed through his head as his brother was elaborating on these melodies.

But eventually, over the years, it became more of a joint partnership that it wasn't always the music that came first, particularly as they got into the so-called political musicals of the 30s of the I Sing and things like that, where the lyrics came more to the forefront of the show rather than the music. Memorable music, though it is, but it's the lyrics, the satirical nature of those lyrics.

But eventually, over the years, it became more of a joint partnership that it wasn't always the music that came first, particularly as they got into the so-called political musicals of the 30s of the I Sing and things like that, where the lyrics came more to the forefront of the show rather than the music. Memorable music, though it is, but it's the lyrics, the satirical nature of those lyrics.

But eventually, over the years, it became more of a joint partnership that it wasn't always the music that came first, particularly as they got into the so-called political musicals of the 30s of the I Sing and things like that, where the lyrics came more to the forefront of the show rather than the music. Memorable music, though it is, but it's the lyrics, the satirical nature of those lyrics.

that brought Ira to a new level where people were starting to compare him to one of his idols, Gilbert, W.S. Gilbert, with Gilbert and Sullivan fame.

that brought Ira to a new level where people were starting to compare him to one of his idols, Gilbert, W.S. Gilbert, with Gilbert and Sullivan fame.

that brought Ira to a new level where people were starting to compare him to one of his idols, Gilbert, W.S. Gilbert, with Gilbert and Sullivan fame.

How did Ira Gershwin's life end?

How did Ira Gershwin's life end?

How did Ira Gershwin's life end?

Well, Ira died in 1983. He had been... housebound for a number of years. His last real work was in the early 1960s. After the end of the 1960s, which was basically the last time he traveled, he increasingly stayed at his house. He had had a stroke and various other physical ailments over the years, which were leaving him more incapacitated.

Well, Ira died in 1983. He had been... housebound for a number of years. His last real work was in the early 1960s. After the end of the 1960s, which was basically the last time he traveled, he increasingly stayed at his house. He had had a stroke and various other physical ailments over the years, which were leaving him more incapacitated.

Well, Ira died in 1983. He had been... housebound for a number of years. His last real work was in the early 1960s. After the end of the 1960s, which was basically the last time he traveled, he increasingly stayed at his house. He had had a stroke and various other physical ailments over the years, which were leaving him more incapacitated.

But I will say that his final years actually were quite good ones because, among other things, was the arrival of a young man by the name of Michael Feinstein, who I know you've had on your show, who was hired initially to sort of entertain Ira and wound up working on Ira's archive. I did some similar work to what Michael did in terms of the archive, but certainly not entertaining Ira.

But I will say that his final years actually were quite good ones because, among other things, was the arrival of a young man by the name of Michael Feinstein, who I know you've had on your show, who was hired initially to sort of entertain Ira and wound up working on Ira's archive. I did some similar work to what Michael did in terms of the archive, but certainly not entertaining Ira.

But I will say that his final years actually were quite good ones because, among other things, was the arrival of a young man by the name of Michael Feinstein, who I know you've had on your show, who was hired initially to sort of entertain Ira and wound up working on Ira's archive. I did some similar work to what Michael did in terms of the archive, but certainly not entertaining Ira.

I wasn't around then. There was a piano that was brought up into Ira's bedroom, and Michael spent a lot of time at the house singing for Ira, some of the more obscure corners of Ira's catalog. which entertained a man who had become somewhat isolated. But it was a good life. It was a successful life.

I wasn't around then. There was a piano that was brought up into Ira's bedroom, and Michael spent a lot of time at the house singing for Ira, some of the more obscure corners of Ira's catalog. which entertained a man who had become somewhat isolated. But it was a good life. It was a successful life.

I wasn't around then. There was a piano that was brought up into Ira's bedroom, and Michael spent a lot of time at the house singing for Ira, some of the more obscure corners of Ira's catalog. which entertained a man who had become somewhat isolated. But it was a good life. It was a successful life.

And it's certainly one that is well remembered by those of us who love great songs, great lyrics, and the great American songbook.