Farewell to Jerry Bock

Sad news - Jerry Bock, the composer of the music for Fiddler on the Roof and many other shows, passed away this morning.

Here's the story from the Associated Press:

An attorney for Jerry Bock says the Tony Award-winning composer of such hit Broadway musicals as Fiddler on the Roof and Fiorello! has died.

Richard M. Ticktin said Bock died Wednesday morning at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y., of heart failure. He was 81.

Together with lyricist Sheldon Harnick, Bock wrote the powerful score to Fiddler on the Roof, one of the most successful productions in the history of the American musical theater. It earned the two men Tonys in 1965.

Bock and Harnick also took home Tonys for the music and lyrics to Fiorello! in 1960. In addition, Bock was nominated for Tonys in 1967 for The Apple Tree and in 1971 for The Rothschilds.

Bock's other works include The Body Beautiful, Mr. Wonderful and She Loves Me.

Here's one of my favorite clips from the film version of "Fiddler" (with subtitles, no less):