Buddy G. DeSylva Biography

Fast Facts

• In 1970, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
• Served on the ASCAP board of directors between 1922 and 1930
• Earned his degree at the University of Southern California
• During college, he had a summer job working as a lifeguard and beach boy at Avalon
• Cofounded Cowboy Records with Johnny Mercer in 1925
• His Broadway songwriting credits include many collaborations with George Gershwin, such as "La La Lucille․"
• Made child star Shirley Temple's five most successful movies
• Teamed up with composer Ray Henderson and lyricist Lew Brown in 1925 to form a successful songwriting trio
• Cofounded Capitol Records with Johnny Mercer and Glenn Wallichs
• Wrote over 500 successful songs over the course of his career