Legendary Songwriter Dies at 96

Posted March 18, 2009, 6:52 am

Songwriter Jack Lawrence, whose "Tenderly" launched the career of Rosemary Clooney and put Bobby Darin on the map with English lyrics to "Beyond the Sea," has died at the age of 96.

Lawrence fell Saturday in his Redding home, fracturing his pelvic bone. He died Sunday at Danbury Hospital from complications of the injury.

Lawrence's name may not be as widely known as those of his contemporaries Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and George Gershwin, but his melodies and lyrics launched the careers of at least a dozen top stars.

In addition to Clooney and Darin, Frank Sinatra had his first solo hit with "All or Nothing at All" and "If I Didn't Care" launched The Ink Spots.

Jack made several recent appearances on the Growing Bolder Radio Show. Always interesting, always engaging, you can hear Jack's final interview by clicking here.