RT
The basics
Quick facts
Intro
American songwriter and lyricist
Gender:
Male
Places:
Work field:
Birth:
20 September 1892(New York City, New York, USA)
Death:
30 November 1934(Hollywood, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, USA)
Star sign:
The details
Biography
Introduction
Roy Kenneth Turk (September 20, 1892 – November 30, 1934) was an American songwriter and lyricist, he frequently collaborated with composer Fred E. Ahlert – their popular 1929 song "Mean to Me" has become a jazz standard. In 1926 collaborated with Lou Handman on his best known song the 1927 hit song Are You Lonesome Tonight?made famous by acts like Elvis Presley. He worked with many other composers, including for film lyrics. Turk was elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
Overview
Among his compositions (with music by Fred Ahlert unless otherwise noted):
- 1923 - "My Sweetie Went Away" (music by Lou Handman)
- 1927 - "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" (music by Lou Handman) popularized in 1960 by Elvis Presley
- 1928 - "I'll Get By (as Long as I Have You)"
- 1928 - "Mean to Me"
- 1931 - "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)"
- 1931 - "Walkin' My Baby Back Home"
- 1931 - "Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)" for Bing Crosby
- 1932 - "Love, You Funny Thing!"
He also worked with composers such as Harry Akst, George W. Meyer, Charles Tobias, Arthur Johnston, Maceo Pinkard, and J. Russell Robinson.