John Walter Bratton (January 21, 1867 - February 7, 1947) was an American composer and theatrical producer.
Brought up by his Grandmother in New Castle, Delaware, near Wilmington, Bratton studied at the Philadelphia College before embarking on a career as a baritone singer. Bratton progressed into acting in and producing musical comedies, ultimately composing for the stage.
He wrote over 250 songs, teaming up, for many, with lyricists Walter H Ford and Paul West.[1] He is best remembered for his 1907 composition "Teddy Bears' Picnic"[1] the only one of his songs to be a lasting hit. Although most of his compositions had lyrics, he left Teddy Bears' Picnic as an instrumental. Perhaps because it sold so well as sheet music he never felt the need to do anything else with it, except feature it in some of silent movie hits of the twenties. Many years later British based, but Irish born Jimmy Kennedy wrote the lyrics. This explains why this American composition has British lyrics..note 'Mummies and Daddies' not as is often misquoted 'Mommies and Daddies'[citation needed]
Bratton died in Brooklyn, New York, aged 80. (Hide extended text) ... (Read all)
