Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael (November 22, 1899 – December 27, 1981) was an American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader. He is best known for writing "Stardust&quo
Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael (November 22, 1899 – December 27, 1981) was an American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader. He is best known for writing "Stardust" (1927), which has been called the most-recorded American song ever written.
Carmichael was born in Bloomington, Indiana. He attended Indiana University at Bloomington. He originally studied law while playing music on the side, but he eventually decided to devote his energies to music. Carmichael maintained a lifelong affiliation with the university; in 1937 he wrote the song "Chimes of Indiana" which was presented to the school as a gift by the class of 1935. It was made Indiana University's official alma mater in 1978. Carmichael also holds the distinction of being awarded an honorary doctorate in music by the Indiana University in 1972.