The Gershwin brothers were born in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-Jewish parents. George was the younger brother, and he showed a musical talent at an early age. He began playing the piano at the age of 10, and he soon began composing his own music. Ira was the older brother, and he was a gifted lyricist. He began writing lyrics when he was in his teens, and he soon began collaborating with George.
The Gershwin brothers' first major success was the Broadway musical "Lady, Be Good!" (1924). This show introduced the songs "Fascinating Rhythm" and "Someone to Watch Over Me". The Gershwins continued to write successful musicals throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including "Oh, Kay!" (1926), "Strike Up the Band" (1927), "Funny Face" (1927), "Show Girl" (1929), and "Of Thee I Sing" (1931).
In 1930, the Gershwins moved to Hollywood, where they began writing songs for films. Their most successful films include "Shall We Dance" (1937), "A Damsel in Distress" (1937), and "The Goldwyn Follies" (1938).
George Gershwin died of a brain tumor in 1937, at the age of 38. Ira Gershwin continued to write lyrics, collaborating with other composers such as Jerome Kern and Harold Arlen. He also wrote several books, including a biography of his brother.
The Gershwin brothers are considered to be one of the most important and influential songwriting teams in history. Their songs have been performed by some of the greatest artists of all time, and they continue to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.