Ira was very gifted in his own right, and continued to be successful after George died.
Ira was wonderful! Michael Feinstein hung out with him in his later years, and found trunkloads of lyrics and songs that had never been published. He could not get any current music company or publisher to EVEN LOOK at them, must less publish them. I guess they were too busy publishing hip-hop and rap to consider REAL music (sigh).