Clarence Gaskill

Clarence Gaskill (February 2, 1892 – April 29, 1948) was an American composer, lyricist, and Broadway performer whose career spanned from the late 1910s through the early 1930s. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gaskill received his earliest musical instruction from his mother before studying with private teachers. He attended St. John's School and Friends School in Pennsylvania. By the age of sixteen he was working as a pianist at a local theatre, and by twenty-one he had established his own music publishing firm.

During World War I, Gaskill served as a machine gunner and was awarded the Purple Heart. He also entertained troops during the war and composed the war song "That's a Mother's Liberty Loan." Following the armistice, he toured the vaudeville circuit under the stage name "Melody Monarch."

Gaskill's first hit came in 1919 with "I Love You Just the Same, Sweet Adeline," written with Harry Armstrong. Two years later he joined the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. His 1921 song "Doo-Wacka-Doo," co-written with Will Donaldson and George Horther, drew on the Hawaiian musical craze of the period and was popularized by Paul Whiteman's orchestra. Gaskill was employed by Irving and Jack Mills throughout portions of his career and collaborated with Jimmy McHugh, Irving Mills, Duke Ellington, Leo Robin, and Cab Calloway, among others. His co-composition "I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me," written with Jimmy McHugh, appeared in 1927. In 1931 he contributed to "Minnie the Moocher" alongside Cab Calloway and Irving Mills. His 1932 song "Prisoner of Love," co-written with Leo Robin and Russ Columbo, was subsequently recorded by The Ink Spots, Billy Eckstine, and Perry Como.

On Broadway, Gaskill appeared as a performer in 1922 and contributed as a composer and book writer to several productions. He wrote music for the 1925 revue Earl Carroll's Vanities and for Keep It Clean, as well as for the revue Frank Fay's Fables. His knowledge of music business practices and copyright law led him to claim composer credit on public domain works including "Jingle Bells," "Adeste Fideles," "The Farmer in the Dell," and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star."

Gaskill lived with his wife, Matilda Gaskill, on Richmont Street in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He died on April 29, 1948, in New Brighton, New York City.