Before putting his musical talents to paper, he took voice and piano lessons and after attending Northwestern University, at 19, moved to New York City to study voice with operatic coach Estelle Neibling. He received $50 for doing the vocals on the first singing commercial for Pepsi Cola. His singing with a local radio group led to a songwriting alliance with Hugh Martin. The team wrote the lyrics and musical score for films "Best Foot Forward," "Meet Me in St. Louis," "My Blue Heaven," "Three Wishes for Jamie," and "Something About Anne." Other Blane classics are "The Boy Next Door," "Buckle Down Winsocki," "Pass the Peace Pipe" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Perhaps best known for "The Trolley Song," Mr. Blane's compositions cover several pages of the ASCAP Dictionary of Music. He has received two Academy Award nominations and was selected in 1983 to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. Many of his new works are included in the current Broadway hit revival of "Meet Me in St. Louis."