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Composer

Milton Ager

1893 — 1979

Concerts and Operas

Max Raabe & Palast Orchester – MTV Unplugged
Clärchens Ballhaus Berlin
Concert100 Min

Albums

MTV Unplugged
Max Raabe, Palast Orchester
Die Liebe kommt, die Liebe geht
Berlin Comedian Harmonists
Die Liebe kommt, die Liebe geht
Berlin Comedian Harmonists

The Enduring Legacy of Milton Ager

Milton Ager (1893–1979) was a prolific American composer who rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s. Born in Chicago, Ager started his career in music publishing roles before gaining national fame for his catchy and heartfelt tunes. His ability to craft melodies that resonated with both the sentimentality and the modern energy of early 20th-century America ensured his continued legacy in American popular music.

Notable Compositions by Milton Ager

Among Ager's most famous songs is "Ain't She Sweet," an upbeat standard that became an enduring classic and has been performed by countless artists across generations. His optimistic anthem "Happy Days Are Here Again" is closely associated with the end of the Prohibition Era and Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1932 presidential campaign. Ager also co-wrote the popular hit "I'm Nobody's Baby" with Benny Davis and Lester Santly in the early 1920s. His first major success was "Everything Is Peaches Down in Georgia," written for Al Jolson with lyricist Grant Clarke. Another notable composition is the witty, jazz-infused number "Hard Hearted Hannah (The Vamp of Savannah)," which he co-wrote with Jack Yellen, Bob Bigelow, and Charles Bates in 1924.

Ager's Contributions to Stage and Film

In addition to standalone songs, Ager wrote music for the Broadway show What's in a Name (1920) and contributed to film scores, expanding his influence beyond standalone songs to the wider world of entertainment.

Collaborations with Jack Yellen

Ager frequently collaborated with lyricist Jack Yellen, and together they produced a string of memorable hits throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Their songs capture the spirit, romance, and humor of their time.

The Influence of Milton Ager's Music Today

Ager's music remains influential and is covered by generations of performers. His works have been interpreted by diverse artists and ensembles, including tribute groups like the Berlin Comedian Harmonists. This group, a tribute to the original Comedian Harmonists, a popular German close harmony ensemble from the 1920s and 1930s, delivers enchanting performances around the world with their unusual blend of humor and harmony. However, it should be noted that while they are known for performing American standards and 1920s–1930s repertoire, direct evidence that they have specifically recorded Ager's works is lacking.

Similarly, Max Raabe and Palast Orchester are known for performing music from the period of the Weimar Republic in Germany. While they have not performed on MTV Unplugged, their performances evoke nostalgia while staying true to contemporary sensibilities. However, they are not associated with re-imagining classics by Milton Ager.