Buddy DeSylva (1895–1950), born George Gard DeSylva, was an American songwriter, lyricist, film producer, and music executive. He became prominent during the 1910s and 1920s as part of the songwriting team DeSylva, Brown and Henderson, working with Ray Henderson and Lew Brown on numerous popular songs and Broadway productions.
DeSylva later moved into film production in Hollywood, where he worked for major studios and became an executive producer at Paramount Pictures. His background in both songwriting and the film industry gave him extensive connections within the entertainment business.
In 1942, DeSylva provided important financial backing for the new record company being developed by Johnny Mercer and Glenn E. Wallichs. The three men incorporated the company under the name Liberty Records, which was soon renamed Capitol Records. DeSylva served as a company executive and remained involved with Capitol during its early years. He also collaborated with Mercer on the short-lived Cowboy Records label.
DeSylva died in Hollywood in 1950 at the age of 55. His career connected the worlds of Tin Pan Alley songwriting, Broadway, Hollywood film production, and the emerging American recording industry.
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[…] of its own. In 1942, he worked with songwriter Johnny Mercer and film producer and songwriter Buddy DeSylva to establish a new record company. The company was initially incorporated as Liberty Records before […]