Robert Sour

Robert Sour (1905 – 1985) was a lyricist and composer, and the president of Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI). He was also one of the jurors in the murder trial of Eddie Lee Mays, who became the last man executed in New York.

In 1940 Sour worked for Broadcast Music as its lyrics editor, and by 1966 had risen through company ranks to become BMI's president. Two years later he had become the company's vice chairman and was instrumental in establishing BMI's musical theater workshop He retired in 1970.

Working with lyricists Edward Heyman and Frank Eyton and composer Johnny Green, Sour wrote the lyrics to the ballad "Body and Soul" from the 1930 revue, Three's A Crowd. In partnership with Una Mae Carlisle (1915–1956), he also composed lyrics for the song "Walkin' by the River", which became a radio hit as sung by Syliva Froos (1927–2004) in 1941. Ella Fitzgerald recorded "Walkin' by the River" for Decca Records, with Leroy Kirkland directing the orchestra. Benny Carter also recorded "Walkin", with Carlisle on vocals. Sour composed music and lyrics for both film and theater; along with Henry Katzman, he wrote the soundtrack sections "Twitterpated" and "Thumper's Song" for the Walt Disney Productions animated feature Bambi (1942).

Birth and Death Data: Born October 31, 1905 (New York City), Died March 6, 1985 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1930 - 1949

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist, songwriter

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-40 of 40 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia W150788 10-in. 9/10/1930 Body and soul Paul Whiteman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia [W]150817 10-in. 9/17/1930 Body and soul Fred Rich Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Columbia W150844 10-in. 9/29/1930 Body and soul Ruth Etting Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble lyricist  
Columbia [W]150863 10-in. 10/7/1930 Body and soul Annette Hanshaw Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble lyricist  
Columbia W26573 10-in. 2/29/1940 Body and soul Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo lyricist  
OKeh W404411 10-in. 10/9/1930 Body and soul Louis Armstrong ; Sebastian New Cotton Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
OKeh W404516 10-in. 10/30/1930 Body and soul Seger Ellis Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band lyricist  
Brunswick E34387 10-in. Sept. 1930 Body and soul Libby Holman Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Brunswick E34488 10-in. Sept. 1930 Body and soul Ozzie Nelson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo; without vocal (take G) lyricist  
Brunswick E34556 10-in. Sept. 1930 Body and soul Ozzie Nelson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Brunswick E34705 10-in. Oct. 1930 Body and soul Libby Holman Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Brunswick E34706 10-in. Oct. 1930 Body and soul Libby Holman Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Brunswick TE34707 10-in. Oct. 1930 Body and soul Libby Holman Female vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Brunswick E34709 10-in. 10/8/1930 Body and soul Ozzie Nelson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
Gramophone Cc18882 12-in. 2/25/1930 Body and soul Jack Hylton Orchestra ; Pat O'Malley Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo lyricist  
(Results 26-40 of 40 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Sour, Robert," accessed October 31, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/100744.

Sour, Robert. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved October 31, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/100744.

"Sour, Robert." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 31 October 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/100744

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