Biography
Born to a concert pianist, Adler developed his musical abilities largely without formal instruction. Following his service in the U.S. Navy, he turned to songwriting and formed a partnership with Jerry Ross in 1950. Their initial joint achievement arrived with Rags to Riches, while their debut stage work, The Pajama Game, earned acclaim both for integrating songs directly into the narrative and for weaving American vernacular into the lyrics. Together the pair also created Damn Yankees, a comic musical retelling of the Faust legend. After Ross died, Adler found fewer successes yet kept composing for advertisements and televised musicals; between 1965 and 1969 he additionally advised the White House on the arts. Several Broadway productions further appeared under his guidance. In June 2012, at the age of 90, Richard Adler passed away at his Southampton, New York residence.