Celebrity Graveland

May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989

To simply refer to Irving Berlin as a “composer” is like calling the Pacific Ocean a “puddle.” Berlin’s 70 year career broke when the Russian (Belarusian)-American songwriter wrote “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” The song became an international sensation and launched Irving from the stoops of Tin Pan Alley into the stratosphere…where he thrived for more than half a century. Many of the songs Berlin would write would become so common place to future generations, that it’s hard to imagine that someone actually wrote them.  “White Christmas,” “Puttin’ On The Ritz,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Easter Parade,” “Happy Holiday” and “God Bless America” to name just a few. It is said he wrote more than 1,500 songs. He was involved with dozens of Broadway productions and Hollywood films. His music was purposely simple and aimed directly at the average American – whom Berlin felt was the heart and soul of the country. This formula worked and Berlin became one of the most popular songwriters in the history of the nation. And, he wasn’t just popular with the public. He was regarded by many of his contemporaries as one of the greatest writers – of songs or otherwise – ever. Irving Berlin lived to be 101 years old.

Burial

Woodlawn Cemetery – Bronx NY

Specific Location

Columbine Plot; Just south of the intersection of Prospect Ave. and Walnut Ave. on the western side of Heather Ave., there are four simple, flat markers in the midst of a row of private mausoleums along this road, these are the Berlin family markers.

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