Mort Shuman

While either on his own, or teamed with songwriting partner Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman has authored some of the most lasting songs in pop music, including "Save the Last Dance for Me" and "Teenager in Love." Born in Brooklyn to Jewish immigrant parents, Shuman studied at the New York Conservatory but felt rejected and alienated by his peers in Brooklyn. Identifying with the black community in Harlem, Shuman's true musical education came within that area's raucous R&B clubs, where he soaked up the sounds of Ruth Brown and others. Shuman started penning lyrics at 18 and found succes...