Lippman, Sidney

Sidney Lippman (March 1, 1914 - March 11, 2003) was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN and attended the University of Minnesota. He became interested in writing music as a result of an annual competition through the city schools.

Lippman served in the Merchant Marine during World War II, and upon completion of his war service was awarded a fellowship in music composition by the Julliard School of Music in New York. While at the Julliard he worked as an arranger with the Irving Berlin music publishing company.

One of the first songs with which he is credited for composing the music was "A - You're Adorable", having teamed up with Buddy Kaye and Fred Wise. The song became a hit in 1949 when it was released on an RCA recording featuring Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters.

Lippman collaborated for many years with lyricist Sylvia Dee (1914-1967; born Josephine de Sylva, she also used the name Jo Proffit; she was married to Dr. Jere Faison.) Lippman and Dee wrote a number of popular hits, including the frequently-recorded "Too Young" ; one of the most famous recordings of this song was released in 1951 and featured Nat King Cole. Other Lippman/Dee hits included "Chickery Chick", "My Sugar Is So Refined" and "Laroo Lilli Bolero."

In addition to popular songs, Lippman and Dee wrote songs (music and words) for the musical version of Barefoot Boy with Cheek, based on the book of the same name by Max Shulman, and produced on Broadway in 1947. Lippman also composed a score for one of Tennessee Williams' last plays, Red Devil Battery Sign, produced by David Merrick.

Lippman died in 2003 in North Bergen, NJ.

From the guide to the Sidney Lippman Papers, 1929-1997, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Performing Arts Archives, Manuscripts Division)