Seymour Simons
Encyclopedia
Seymour Simons, was an American Pianist, Composer, Orchestra Leader, and Radio Producer.
Simons returned to Detroit after service in World War I
and built a reputation as a pianist and songwriter, providing material for stage stars Nora Bayes
and Elsie Janis
. In 1919 he wrote "Just Like a Gypsy" with Bayes, who, in addition to being a popular entertainer, was already a songwriter best known for “Shine on Harvest Moon”, written with her performer/husband Jack Norworth in 1910. "Just Like a Gypsy" was recorded in 1941 by Maxine Sullivan
and in 1946 by Peggy Lee
.
A collaboration in 1926 with Richard Whiting produced “Hello, Baby,” recorded by Ruth Etting, and the popular “Breezin’ Along With the Breeze”, in conjunction with Haven Gillespie, which was first recorded by Josephine Baker
, used in the film Pete Kelly's Blues
(1955), and sung by Lucille Ball
and Desi Arnaz
in their 1954 film, The Long, Long Trailer
. The trio also collaborated on “(I’m in Love with You) Honey” (1928) which appeared in the film, Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945). With Gus Kahn
, Simons wrote “Just Can’t Be Bothered with Me” (1929) and “Sweetheart of My Student Days” (1930).
Simons worked in radio production and booking from 1928 to 1932 and led an orchestra on the radio in the early ‘30s. In 1931 he collaborated with Gerald Marks
on his biggest hit, “All of Me
” which has maintained its popularity over the years, winning the “Towering Song” award given by the Songwriters Hall of Fame
in 2000.
Simons returned to Detroit after service in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and built a reputation as a pianist and songwriter, providing material for stage stars Nora Bayes
Nora Bayes
Nora Bayes was a popular American singer, comedienne and actress of the early 20th century.-Early life and career:...
and Elsie Janis
Elsie Janis
Elsie Janis was an American singer, songwriter, actress, and screenwriter. Entertaining the troops during World War I immortalized her as "the sweetheart of the AEF" .-Early career:...
. In 1919 he wrote "Just Like a Gypsy" with Bayes, who, in addition to being a popular entertainer, was already a songwriter best known for “Shine on Harvest Moon”, written with her performer/husband Jack Norworth in 1910. "Just Like a Gypsy" was recorded in 1941 by Maxine Sullivan
Maxine Sullivan
Maxine Sullivan , born Marietta Williams, was an American blues and jazz singer.She was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania, and married jazz musician John Kirby in 1938 , and stride pianist Cliff Jackson in 1956...
and in 1946 by Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
.
A collaboration in 1926 with Richard Whiting produced “Hello, Baby,” recorded by Ruth Etting, and the popular “Breezin’ Along With the Breeze”, in conjunction with Haven Gillespie, which was first recorded by Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker
Josephine Baker was an American dancer, singer, and actress who found fame in her adopted homeland of France. She was given such nicknames as the "Bronze Venus", the "Black Pearl", and the "Créole Goddess"....
, used in the film Pete Kelly's Blues
Pete Kelly's Blues
Pete Kelly's Blues can refer to:* Pete Kelly's Blues ** Pete Kelly's Blues , a 1955 film based on the radio series*** Songs from Pete Kelly's Blues, the soundtrack album of the 1955 film...
(1955), and sung by Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball
Lucille Désirée Ball was an American comedian, film, television, stage and radio actress, model, film and television executive, and star of the sitcoms I Love Lucy, The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy and Life With Lucy...
and Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz
Desi Arnaz was a Cuban-born American musician, actor and television producer. While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is probably best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to...
in their 1954 film, The Long, Long Trailer
The Long, Long Trailer
The Long, Long Trailer is a novel by Clinton Twiss from the 1950s, about a couple who buy a new travel trailer home and spend a year traveling across the United States....
. The trio also collaborated on “(I’m in Love with You) Honey” (1928) which appeared in the film, Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945). With Gus Kahn
Gus Kahn
Gustav Gerson Kahn was a musician, songwriter and lyricist.-Biography:Kahn was born in Koblenz, Germany in 1886. The family emigrated from there to the United States and moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1890...
, Simons wrote “Just Can’t Be Bothered with Me” (1929) and “Sweetheart of My Student Days” (1930).
Simons worked in radio production and booking from 1928 to 1932 and led an orchestra on the radio in the early ‘30s. In 1931 he collaborated with Gerald Marks
Gerald Marks
Gerald Marks , was an American composer best known for the song "All of Me" which he co-wrote with Seymour Simons and has been recorded about 2,000 times...
on his biggest hit, “All of Me
All of Me
All of Me is a 1984 fantasy comedy film directed by Carl Reiner and starring Steve Martin and Lily Tomlin. This film is based on the novel Me Two by Edwin Davis.-Plot:...
” which has maintained its popularity over the years, winning the “Towering Song” award given by the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. It was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and music publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The goal is to create a museum but as of April, 2008, the means do not yet exist and so instead it is an online...
in 2000.