Vivian Ellis

about

Ellis was born in Hampstead, London in 1903, not 1904 as is usually stated.[1] He studied the piano with Myra Hess and began a musical career as a concert pianist, but became a composer and lyricist. Initially he contributed pieces for several revues in the 1920s. He became well known in the London West End Theatres for providing the music and collaborating in the production of a large number of musical shows, spanning from 1925 to 1958. In fact he was to dominate the theatre of the 1930s having one to three shows run most years of this decade. However, in spite of his music being both pleasant and catchy, few of his compositions were recorded (with the exception of "I'm On A See-Saw" by Fats Waller and "This is my lovely day" by Lizbeth Webb and Georges Guetary, so his name became less well known after his last London production. He wrote some songs used in British films of the 1930s. By the 1950s, musical comedy had begin to fall out of fashion, and his last full-length musical, Half in Earnest, appeared in 1958. He contributed to revues for a few more years and then turned his hand to writing a series of amusing books such as How To Enjoy Your Operation. Ellis became the President of the Performing Right Society and in 1984 the society instituted an annual event - the Vivian Ellis Prize - to encourage young composers and lyricists to write for the musical stage. Ellis gave all the writers the same advice: "Try and put at least one hit song in every musical you write." Sev

top songs

albums

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Elizabethan Serenade: The Best of British Light Music

The Water Gipsies

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The Best Of British Light Music

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London Olympic Games of 2012

Miniatures (British Light Music)

Mr Cinders (Original 1983 London Cast)

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Listen to the Wind (Revival London Cast)

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BBC Radio & TV Themes from the 1940's and 50's

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Mood Two

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Retrospection Vol. 8

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Boosey & Hawkes - SBH 3014

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The 50s - Backround Music Vol. 1

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