93 years ago today, on March 5, 1932 (January 29, 1932 in the lunar calendar), Suzer, the composer of "The Star-Spangled Banner", died. John Philip Suzer March 5, 1932. John Philip Suzer died of a heart attack. The musician lived to be 77 years old. Suzer was born in Washington, DC, and his father worked in a band for the Marines. He joined the band at the age of 9 to study. At the age of 26, he became the captain of the band. His musicians had performed for five presidents, the last being Benjamin Harrison. Suzer was a composer, and his works were all patriotic. His "Semper-Fidelis" and "The Star-Spangled Banner" will be passed down from generation to generation, as will the instrument named after him, the "Subwoofer".