American pianist and bandleader Eddy Duchin rose to renown in the 1930s and 1940s for his refined and romantic musical taste. He was born to a Jewish family of Polish and Russian ancestry on April 1, 1909, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Izidor Duchin, Duchin’s father, was a manufacturer and designer of apparel, and Tillie Mandel, Duchin’s mother, was a housewife.
Duchin was schooled in classical music and started playing the piano early. However, he developed a passion for popular music and began performing in Boston and New York City nightclubs.
He started his band, the Eddy Duchin Orchestra, in 1931, and it immediately gained fame for its sultry dance music. Duchin and his band recorded music for RCA Victor while playing live in several locations.
Eddy Duchin Family
Marjorie Oelrichs, a wealthy socialite and heir to the Oelrichs fortune wed Duchin in 1935. The couple, with two kids named Peter and John, led a posh lifestyle while entertaining the era’s wealthy and famous. However, because of issues in their marriage, they got a divorce in 1940.
Duchin joined the American Navy in 1942 and participated in World War II as a lieutenant in the Naval Reserve. He kept giving shows to the soldiers while also recording music for the military radio network.
Duchin continued his musical career after the war and performed in various settings, including the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
Leukemia tragically took Duchin’s life on February 9, 1951, when he was only 41 years old. His music remained well-liked, and movies like 1956’s “The Eddy Duchin Story,” which starred Tyrone Power as Duchin, helped to perpetuate his reputation.
Eddy Duchin Sons
Peter and John Duchin, his sons, likewise followed in their father’s musical footsteps and became musicians. John Duchin became a songwriter and record producer, while Peter Duchin became a band leader and pianist.
Also, they developed a philanthropic bent and participated in several charities and cultural institutions.
As the bandleader for many high-profile events, including the inauguration balls for Presidents Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton, Peter Duchin enjoyed enormous success.
In his 1996 biography “Ghost of a Chance: A Memoir,” he also detailed his interactions with his father and his experiences in the music business.
Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, and Barbra Streisand were musicians John Duchin worked with as songwriters and record producers. He was active in several cultural and educational groups and served as the Songwriters Hall of Fame’s president.
Marisa Berenson, A Fashion Model & Actress
Marisa Berenson, a fashion model, and actress, and John Duchin wed in 1972. They had two kids: Starlite and Diego. However, their union ended in divorce in 1980.
The history of the Eddy Duchin family is being honored in the music and entertainment industries today. Generations of musicians have been influenced by the graceful and romantic music of Eddy Duchin, and his sons Peter and John have also made significant contributions to the field.
Despite the family’s many successes, their narrative is nevertheless characterized by sadness and grief because Eddy Duchin and his son John died too soon from cancer.
