Robert Sour
American composer

Robert Sour

The basics
Quick facts
Intro
American composer
Gender:
Male
Work field:
Birth:
31 October 1905
Death:
6 March 1985
The details
Biography

Robert Sour (1906–1985) was a lyricist and composer, and the president of Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI).
In 1940 Sour worked for Broadcast Music as its lyrics editor, and by 1966 had risen through company ranks to become BMI's president. Two years later he had become the company's vice chairman and was instrumental in establishing BMI's musical theater workshop. He retired in 1970.
Working with lyricists Edward Heyman and Frank Eyton and composer Johnny Green, Sour wrote the lyrics to the ballad "Body and Soul". In partnership with Una Mae Carlisle (1915–1956), he also composed lyrics for the song "Walkin' by the River", which became a radio hit as sung by Syliva Froos (1927–2004) in 1941. Benny Carter also recorded "Walkin", with Carlisle on vocals. Sour composed music and lyrics for both film and theater; along with Henry Katzman, he wrote the soundtrack sections "Twitterpated" and "Thumper's Song" for the Walt Disney Productions animated feature Bambi.