Ervin Drake, Legendary Songwriter, Dies

Legendary songwriter Ervin Drake, of Great Neck, died on Jan. 15. He was 95.

An inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame, Drake wrote such American classics as “It Was a Very Good Year,” “I Believe,” “Tico Tico,” “Quando Quando Quando,” “Perdito” and “Good Morning, Heartache.”

His songs have been performed by Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Duke Ellington, The Andrew Sisters, Joe Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Sam Cooke and Perry Como, a long-time Sands Point resident.

In April 2014, Drake celebrated his 95th birthday at Landmark on Main Street in Port Washington. The event not only benefitted Landmark, but also the Gold Coast Arts Center in Great Neck, two non-profit arts organizations in the Town of North Hempstead.

The year 2014 also marked the 50th anniversary of the Broadway production of Drake’s “What Makes Sammy Run” (starring Steve Lawrence) which featured songs “A Room Without Windows” and “The Friendliest Thing.” The Landmark event featured musical director Jon Weber, who lead the tribute to Ervin’s illustrious career with host Charles Grodin and a star-studded cast including Leslie Uggams.

Drake also wrote lyrics and music for Broadway shows, including “What Makes Sammy Run?” and “Her First Roman.”

Ervin Drake served as president of the American Guild of Authors and Composers from 1973 to 1982, and in this role, according to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, was instrumental in the campaign to pass the US Copyright Law of 1976.

Image: Patch File Photo

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