finetune artist: George M. Cohan

b. George Michael Cohan, 3 July 1878, Providence, Rhode Island, USA, d. 5 November 1942, New York, USA. A legendary figure in the history of American popular entertainment: a performer, songwriter, playwright, director, producer, and a high-profile patriot. Cohan's paternal grandfather emigrated to America from County Cork, Ireland, and George was baptized in the family's Catholic faith. His parents were vaudevillians, and from an early age, he and his sister, Josephine, joined them on stage as the Four Cohans. By the time he was eight, George had finished his conventional education, but already he was learning the skills that would make him one of the great showbusiness all-rounders. He wrote sketches and dialogue for the family's headline act, and had his first song, "Why Did Nellie Leave Home?", published when he was 16. Around this time, he also developed his curious dancing style, a straight-legged strut, with the body bent forward; and introduced his famous closing address to the audience: "My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you." In 1899, Cohan married the singer and comedienne Ethel Levey, who joined the Four Cohans. They all appeared, two years later, in George's first Broadway musical comedy, The Governor's Son, for which, as with most of his future shows, he wrote the book, music and lyrics. However, neither that show, or the follow-up, Running For Office (1903), lasted for over 50 performances.

Listen to George M. Cohan at Finetune.

(1987) George M! - Original Broadway Cast

Give My Regards to Broadway
Yankee Doodle Dandy / Nellie Kelly I Love You / Harrigan / Over There / You're a Grand Old Flag
Finale: Yankee Doodle Dandy
All Our Friends
Mary

Beary