The first of over 1,500 published songs Jule Styne composed emerged when he was a teenager, marking the start of a prolific career that defined the American musical landscape. Born in London in 1905, he eventually transitioned from a child piano prodigy in Chicago to a powerhouse composer who shaped the sounds of both Hollywood cinema and the Broadway stage.
Early Development and Musical Beginnings
Born Julius Kerwin Stein to Ukrainian emigrant parents, Styne grew up in London before his family relocated to Chicago when he was eight. He demonstrated exceptional talent on the piano early on, performing with the Chicago, St. Louis, and Detroit symphonies before reaching the age of ten. Before finishing his studies at the Chicago Musical College, he was already writing songs, including his first recorded hit, Sunday, in 1926.
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Styne eventually moved to Hollywood, where he worked as a vocal coach for 20th Century Fox. After being encouraged by Darryl F. Zanuck to focus entirely on composition, Styne formed a partnership with lyricist Sammy Cahn. Together, they produced a string of highly successful film tracks, including the Oscar-winning Three Coins in the Fountain in 1954 and chart-topping hits such as It's Been a Long, Long Time and I've Heard That Song Before.
Broadway Achievements
In 1947, Styne moved into Broadway production with High Button Shoes. He subsequently composed scores for numerous productions that became staples of the theatrical canon, including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Bells Are Ringing, and Gypsy. His career was marked by collaborations with notable lyricists such as Stephen Sondheim, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green. His work on Hallelujah, Baby! earned him the Tony Award for Best Original Score in 1968.
Final Years and Legacy
Throughout his life, Styne was recognized by the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972 and the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1981. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1990. After a long career that included writing for stars like Barbra Streisand and Ethel Merman, Styne died of heart failure in New York City in 1994 at the age of 88. He is buried at Mount Ararat Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1905, London
- Died: 1994, New York City
- Academy Award win: 1955
- Tony Award win: 1968
- Primary occupations: composer, songwriter
- Notable work: Gypsy: A Musical Fable
- Burial site: Mount Ararat Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Jule Styne's first big professional hit?
His first published hit song was titled Sunday, written in 1926.
Did Styne write music for films?
Yes, he was a prolific film score composer and won an Academy Award in 1955 for the song Three Coins in the Fountain.
Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Original Song — 1955
- Tony Award for Best Original Score — 1968
- Notable work: Gypsy: A Musical Fable
- Notable work: One Night Stand
- Worked as composer, songwriter and film score composer
