Buddy De Sylva

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Executive | Music Label Founder | Producer | Songwriter Born George Gard on Jan. 27, 1895 in New York, NY

Buddy De Sylva was a successful songwriter and, eventually, record executive who cofounded Capitol Records and became known as the "Midas of Hollywood."

When he was attending USC, De Silva spent his summers working at Avalon as a lifeguard and beach boy. Hours of lazing in the Catalina sunshine started the wheels turning on his slot machine of success.

He wrote "Avalon," a recollection of Catalina living, that became an all-time hit.

The music continued to stream out as the years passed. In 1919, he teamed with George Gershwin in music for a revue, "La, La, Lucille." In all, his catalogue totals more than 500 songs — every one a success in its time.

He also went on to make five movies with Shirley Temple — her five greatest successes — then went on to produce several films at Paramount, including "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

In the 1940s, his heart muscle began to tire, so he resigned his position at Paramount and formed his own company with Johnny Mercer and Glenn Wallichs: Capitol Records.

— The Los Angeles Times July 12, 1950

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