Johnny Green was a renowned composer-pianist-arranger born in Far Rockaway, New York. His parents, both musically inclined, encouraged his early interest in music. At 15, he was accepted into Harvard University, where he studied music, history, economics, and government.
Between semesters, Guy Lombardo, a prominent bandleader, discovered Green's talents and hired him to create dance arrangements for his orchestra. Green's education was interrupted when his father forced him to become a stockbroker, which he attempted for six months before leaving to pursue his musical career.
Encouraged by his young bride Carol, Green returned to his musical pursuits, composing many hit standards, including "I Cover the Waterfront," "You're Mine, You," "Easy Come, Easy Go," "Rain Rain Go Away," and "I Wanna Be Loved." He arranged for various dance orchestras, including Jean Goldkette's on NBC, and accompanied stars such as James Melton, Libby Holman, and Ethel Merman.
Green composed "Body and Soul" for Gertrude Lawrence, which was recorded by Jack Hylton and His Orchestra, and later copyrighted. He wrote larger works for orchestra, scored films at Paramount's Astoria Studios, and conducted in East Coast theatres and vaudeville.
In 1934, Green returned from London, where he composed a musical comedy for Jack Buchanan. At 25, he had already achieved success with several hit songs. He formed his own orchestra, Johnny Green, His Piano and Orchestra, which recorded for Columbia and Brunswick companies.
Green's orchestra starred on the Socony Sketchbook, sponsored by Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., and featured vocalists such as Virginia Verrill, Marjory Logan, Jimmy Farrell, and the four Eton Boys. His piano playing was intricate, and his musical ideas were exceedingly clever.
Green continued conducting on radio and in theatres into the 1940s before moving to Hollywood to pursue a career in film. His credits as musical executive, arranger, conductor, and composer include notable films such as Raintree County, Bathing Beauty, Something in the Wind, Easter Parade, Summer Stock, An American in Paris, Royal Wedding, High Society, and West Side Story.
Green was married three times and had three daughters. He was a respected board member of ASCAP, guest conductor with symphonies around the world, and a chairman of the music branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
