Songwriting Legend alan Bergman Dies at 99
Alan Bergman, the celebrated Oscar-winning songwriter whose lyrical prowess graced some of music’s most enduring hits, has passed away at the age of 99. Bergman, born September 11, 1925, in Brooklyn, dedicated his life to the craft of songwriting, leaving behind a legacy that has touched generations.
Bergman, alongside his late wife Marilyn, was a towering figure in the music industry. The duo, inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, received numerous accolades throughout their illustrious career, including the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award and the Grammy Trustee Award for lifetime achievement. Their collaborative spirit also earned them the National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award and the National Music Publishers Assn.Lifetime Achievement Award. Bergman also held honorary doctorates from Berklee college of Music and the University of Massachusetts, and was recognized by his alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a distinguished alumnus award in 2011.
Marilyn Bergman passed away in January 2022 at the age of 93 due to respiratory failure. Undeterred by his loss, Alan continued his creative endeavors, most recently collaborating with jazz guitarist Pat Metheny on nine songs slated for Metheny’s upcoming album.
Alan Bergman is survived by his daughter, Julie Bergman, and his granddaughter, emily Sender. A private graveside burial will be held. In honor of his 100th birthday, Ruth Price’s Jazz Bakery will proceed with a planned tribute concert at Santa Monica’s Broad Stage in September, celebrating Bergman’s “100 Years of Magic and Memories.”
The family requests that donations in Alan Bergman’s memory be made to the ASCAP Foundation’s Alan and Marilyn Bergman Lyric Award and the Johnny Mercer Foundation.
