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Submitted: 1/9/16 • Approved: 1/11/16 • Last Updated: 4/9/18 • R782085-G0-S3
January 23, 1880 - March 17, 1952
*Obituary
The Joplin Globe
Wednesday, March 19, 1952
Percy Wenrich, Noted Song
Composer, Dies in New York
New York,March 18--(AP)--Percy Wenrich,72 years old, one of America's top song writers for years and composer of such all-time hits as "Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet", died last night.
Some of his other best known tunes were "Moonlight Bay" and "When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red Rose."
Wenrich was born in Joplin, Mo. Among his first musical compositions were a series of organ teaching pieces. He was a charter member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and belonged to the Lambs Club.
After enjoying several years of success as a composer, Wenrich went into vaudeville as a pianist in a song and dance act with his wife, who appeared professionally as Dolly Connolly.
Among Wenrich's other compositions was an operetta, "Castles in the Air", that enjoyed great success 30 or more years ago.
He also wrote a musical comedy, "The Right Girl", and such hits as "Where Do We Go From Here, Boys", "Sweet Cider Time", "Sail Aong Silvery Moon" and "Land of Romance".
Funeral arrangements have not been completed
Werich's Body
To Be Returned
Percy Wenrich, noted music composer who died Monday night in New York, was one of Joplin's most famous native sons. His body is to be returned here for burial since this is the home of the pioneer early day Wenrich family, according to a telegram received yesterday by The Globe and the News Herald from a sister, Mrs. Nellie Wenrich Snyder of Battle Creek, Mich.
No local arrangements were made yesterday awaiting further word from the east.
Honored in July
Mr. Wenrich had been in ill health and virtually an invalid for the last several years.
One of the composer's most famous hit songs, "Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet", is the official song of the city of Joplin. It was so designated as a tribute to Mr. Wenrich during a special Wenrich celebration here last July during the premiere showing of a motion picture featuring his music.
Mr. Wenrich had not resided here for some 40 years but his family was prominent in the early day life of the city, his father having been an early day mine operator, postmaster and Republican leader. None of the family resides here now.
Mr. Wenrich was born in Joplin in 1880, attended the old Byers and Jackson schools and became assistant postmaster under his father, Daniel K. Wenrich, in about 1901.
He had a natural flair for music as did his father, who was quite a local singer and a composer-of-sorts of campaign songs at election times. The father was an active Republican and served as postmaster of Joplin under President McKinley.
In youth, Percy Wenrich was known as "a whiz at the piano", playing at many social functions. His first hit composition, "Rainbow", was turned out in about 1908, and it also was about that times that he went east to later become a famous composer. He had not resided in Joplin for more than 40 years, maintaining his home most of the time in New York City.
"The Joplin Kid"
Early in his career as a composer in New York he was dubbed "The Joplin Kid" by some of his contemporaries and that nickname stayed with hime through most of his career.
The city-wide celebration of Percy Wenrich day here last July 27 was touched off by a premiere showing at the Paramount theater here of "Moonlight Bay", taken from the title of one of his songs and featuring Wenrich music.
The celebration was promoted by the Chamber of Commerce and other interested citizens including friends of the Wenrich family. It was issuance of a proclamation by Mayor H. Chris Oltman designating "Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet" as the official song of the city of Joplin.
"Old Grey Bonnets" were distributed by the Chamber of Commerce, and there was a Wenrich songfest and costume contest the night of the premiere at the theater.
Hope Not Realized
Deeply touched by the tributes paid to him at his "home town", Mr. Wenrich sent a long telegram of appreciation and regrets that he could not make a personal appearance due to his physical condition, but did express the hope of some day being able to again visit Joplin.
Later, George A, Spiva made a trip to New York to formally present the proclamation making the Wenrich song hit the official song of Joplin, together with a long list of signatures of citizens at that time. Mr. Wenrich said the Joplin celebration cheered him in his illness and provided one of the highlights of his life.
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Contributed on 1/9/16 by wfields55
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Record #: 782085