Hoagy Carmichael

Date of Birth: November 22, 1899

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: December 27, 1981

Biography

Hoagy Carmichael, born Howard Hoagland Carmichael on November 22, 1899, in Bloomington, Indiana, was an influential American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader. He is best known for his timeless compositions like “Stardust,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and “Heart and Soul.” Carmichael’s music career began in earnest while he was a law student at Indiana University, where he composed “Stardust,” which became one of the most recorded American songs of all time. Throughout his career, Carmichael collaborated with many of the era’s top lyricists and musicians, including Johnny Mercer and Frank Loesser. His unique ability to blend jazz, blues, and American popular music set him apart as one of the great songwriters of the 20th century. In addition to his musical achievements, he also appeared in numerous films, often playing himself, and had his own radio and television shows. Carmichael’s contributions to music were recognized with numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening” in 1951. He passed away on December 27, 1981, in Rancho Mirage, California, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence musicians and songwriters.

5 Interesting Facts about Hoagy Carmichael

1. Hoagy Carmichael wrote “Stardust” while he was a student at Indiana University, and it has been recorded over 1,500 times.

2. His song “Georgia on My Mind” became the official state song of Georgia in 1979.

3. Carmichael won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening” in 1951.

4. He was one of the first singer-songwriters to successfully transition from radio to film, appearing in movies like “To Have and Have Not” and “The Best Years of Our Lives.”

5. Hoagy Carmichael was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hoagy Carmichael

1. “I’m singing the music of the South, and the words that go with it.”

2. “The trouble with music appreciation in general is that people are taught to have too much respect for music; they should be taught to love it instead.”

3. “In Hollywood, the rainbow hits you with a rhythm section.”

4. “You know, I think I invented the word ‘cool.’”

5. “A song is the most intangible of all things—a thought.”