Frank Loesser Biography

Fast Facts

• In 1962, he received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his musical "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying․"
• In 1970, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
• Would rebel against his father during piano lessons by writing his own music
• Quote: "A song is like a freight train․ It has to have a locomotive or hook - and the whole body of the song has to follow that․ They all have to go where the locomotive is going․ And then comes the most important thing, the red caboose that ends the song with a twist, a little surprise․"
• Is best known for his work composing songs for Broadway musicals
• Was accepted into City College of New York despite having no high school diploma
• Was forced to leave his life in Hollywood when he joined the Army Air Force during World War II