Burton Lane
An American composer who infused Broadway and Hollywood with indelible melodies, from the wistful magic of Finian's Rainbow to the brassy confidence of How to Succeed.
1912–1997 (age 85)·American composer·Birthday: February 2·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Burton Lane's career was a masterclass in melodic invention, stretching from Tin Pan Alley to the Great White Way. He was a prodigy, selling his first song as a teenager and quickly becoming a fixture in New York's songwriting circles. His move to Hollywood in the 1930s resulted in a string of sophisticated film musical scores, but his true home was the theater. His 1947 collaboration with lyricist E.Y. Harburg, 'Finian's Rainbow,' blended social satire with a score of astonishing beauty, producing standards like 'Old Devil Moon' and 'How Are Things in Glocca Morra?' Decades later, he teamed with Alan Jay Lerner for the psychically-infused 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever,' and with the young Frank Loesser, he crafted the driving, ambitious score for 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.' Lane's music always possessed a clear, sophisticated harmonic sheen and an uncanny ability to sound both timeless and utterly fresh.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Burton was born in 1912, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Burton Was Born
The biggest hits of 1912
Burton's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1912Born
Titanic sinks on its maiden voyage
President: William Howard Taft
1917Started school
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1925Became a teenager
The Scopes Trial debates evolution in schools
Home: $4,366President: Calvin Coolidge"Sweet Georgia Brown" — Ben Bernie
1928Could drive
Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin; Mickey Mouse debuts
President: Calvin Coolidge"Ol' Man River" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: Wings
1930Could vote
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1933Turned 21
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1942Turned 30
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1952Turned 40
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1962Turned 50
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1972Turned 60
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1982Turned 70
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1992Turned 80
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Died at 85
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
Key Achievements
- Composed the music for the groundbreaking Broadway musical 'Finian's Rainbow' (1947), which integrated social commentary with fantasy.
- Won the 1962 Tony Award for Best Musical for 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' for which he composed the score.
- Received two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song for 'How About You?' (1941) and 'Too Late Now' (1951).
- Served as President of the American Guild of Authors and Composers (AGAC) from 1957 to 1959.
Did You Know?
He discovered a teenage Judy Garland and brought her to perform for composer Harold Arlen.
The melody for 'On a Clear Day You Can See Forever' was originally written for a proposed musical about Houdini.
He was a passionate advocate for songwriters' rights and helped establish the first royalty payments for composers from original cast albums.
“A good song is a good song, and if it's really good, it'll find a place.”
