Lee Adams
| Lee Adams | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Lee Richard Adams August 14, 1924 Mansfield, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer, librettist |
| Period | 1955–present |
| Notable works |
Bye Bye Birdie Applause |
Lee Richard Adams (born August 14, 1924) is an American lyricist best known for his musical theatre collaboration with Charles Strouse.
Biography
Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Adams is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Leopold Adams and is a graduate of Mansfield Senior High School.[1] He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ohio State University and a Master's from Columbia University.
Adams won Tony Awards in 1961 for Bye Bye Birdie and in 1970 for Applause and was nominated for a Tony in 1965 for Golden Boy.[2] In addition, he wrote the lyrics for All American, It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman, Bring Back Birdie, and A Broadway Musical, and the book and lyrics for Ain't Broadway Grand. Additionally, Strouse and Adams co-wrote "Those Were the Days", the opening theme to the TV situation comedy All in the Family Adams was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.[3]
Adams and his wife have lived in Briarcliff Manor, New York since the early 2000s and has a daughter and grandaughter.[4]
Non-musical writing
In addition to his work with lyrics, Adams "had a lifelong fascination with words," which led to his being an editor for the Sunday newspaper magazine supplement This Week and a member of the staff of Pageant magazine.[5]
Works
- A Pound in Your Pocket (musical) (1958)
- Bye Bye Birdie (1960)
- All American (1962)
- Golden Boy (1964)
- It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman (1966)
- Applause (1970)
- I and Albert (1972)
- Bring Back Birdie (1980)
- A Broadway Musical (1982), contributed the song Dancing
- Aint Broadway Grand! (1993)
- The Night They Raided Minsky's [film] (1968)
References
- ↑ "Lyricist Lee Adams to Write Show Biz Column". Ohio, Mansfield. News-Journal. February 23, 1975. p. 1. Retrieved November 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Lee Adams". Tony Awards. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- ↑ "Lee Adams". Songwriters Hall of Fame. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- ↑ Kramer, Peter D. (October 16, 2015). "Briarcliff's 'Birdie' connection, Lee Adams". The Journal News. Gannett Company. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ↑ Bloom, Ken (2007). Routledge Guide to Broadway. New York City: Routledge. p. 247. ISBN 978-0-415-97380-9. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
- Contemporary Authors Online, Detroit: Gale, 2001, ISBN 978-0-7876-3995-2
External links
- Lee Adams at the Internet Broadway Database
- Lee Adams at the Songwriters Hall of Fame
- Lee Adams interview video at the Archive of American Television