American musical satirist Tom Lehrer, famous for his sharply humorous songs, has reportedly passed away at the age of 97, as confirmed by various US media outlets. Known for his political satire, Lehrer's songs were particularly celebrated during the 1950s and 1960s, with modern figures like Weird Al Yankovic citing him as an influential source.
The New York Times received confirmation of his death from his friend, David Herder. Lehrer was born in Manhattan in 1928 and was a classically trained pianist, but he dedicated much of his life to academia. His teaching career included prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, MIT, and the University of California.
Graduating early from Loomis Chaffee School, Lehrer attended Harvard and earned a mathematics degree by 1946 at just 18 years old. He began penning humorous lyrics while at university, leading to the creation of memorable songs like "The Elements," a playful list of chemical elements set to a tune from Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera. Other notable tracks include "The Masochism Tango" and darkly comic ballads like "I Hold Your Hand in Mine" and "Poisoning Pigeons in the Park."
Lehrer released his first album "Songs by Tom Lehrer" in 1953, which became a significant success after being sold via mail and went on to sell approximately half a million copies despite the BBC banning many of its tracks the following year. His live performances sparked interest, leading him to play in clubs across cities like New York and San Francisco, often supporting anti-war and progressive causes.
He further enhanced his repertoire by contributing songs to the American adaptation of the British show "That Was the Week That Was," including the notorious "Vatican Rag," alongside pieces addressing the topic of nuclear weapons. His 1960s hit "We Will All Go Together When We Go" humorously tackled the end of the world.
In the 1970s, Lehrer wrote for children’s education program "The Electric Company" and saw a resurgence of interest when his works were featured in the musical revue, "Tomfoolery," in 1980. Teaching at the University of California until 2001, Lehrer made headlines in 2020 by placing his songwriting copyrights in the public domain, enabling anyone to perform or record his music freely, renouncing any monetary claim on his work.
In a message posted on his website, Lehrer expressed his desire for his songs to be widely enjoyed, leaving a noteworthy legacy that will continue to resonate in the world of comedy and music.
