Richard Perry, renowned as a hitmaking record producer with a unique talent for blending classic and modern sounds, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 82. His impressive catalog includes megahits such as Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” Rod Stewart’s “The Great American Songbook” albums, and a notable project featuring Ringo Starr along with all four members of The Beatles.
Perry, who was awarded the Grammys Trustee Award in 2015, died following cardiac arrest in a Los Angeles hospital, as reported by his friend Daphna Kastner. “He made the most of his time on Earth,” Kastner shared, describing Perry as a “father friend” who was also a godfather to her son. “He was generous, fun, sweet, and left the world a better place. Life feels a little less sweet without him, but heaven just got a bit brighter.”
Perry’s musical journey began with him as a drummer and oboist, eventually transitioning into doo-wop singing. He uniquely succeeded across various music genres, achieving No. 1 hits on the pop, R&B, dance, and country charts. His work included hits like Harry Nilsson’s “Without You,” The Pointer Sisters’ “I’m So Excited,” the quirky “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim, and the lounge standard “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” by Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias. Known as a “musician’s producer,” Perry nurtured artists as collaborators, not just as performers of his vision.
Barbra Streisand reflected on Perry’s remarkable talent in her 2023 memoir, “My Name is Barbra.” She stated, “Richard had a knack for matching the right song to the right artist.” This statement highlights his significant role in connecting musicians with the perfect material for their strengths.
Perry’s life was marked by an impressive roster of friendships with legends. He found himself backstage with icons like Little Richard and Chuck Berry in the 1950s, sat in the audience at the iconic 1967 Monterey Pop Festival during Otis Redding’s unforgettable performance, and attended sessions for the Rolling Stones’ “Let It Bleed.” His social life included high-profile dinners with Paul and Linda McCartney, as well as Mick and Bianca Jagger. He notably dated Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Fonda and was briefly married to actress Rebecca Broussard.
In his autobiography, “Rod,” Rod Stewart fondly remembered Perry’s West Hollywood home as a hub for late-night gatherings filled with music, drinks, and dancing throughout the 1970s. Perry played a pivotal role in facilitating a reunion of sorts for The Beatles in the ’70s, producing a track on Starr’s first solo album and collaborating closely with Neilson and other artists. The 1973 album “Ringo” solidified Starr’s status as a solo star with significant contributions from famous friends. The album included chart-toppers like “Photograph” and a rendition of “You’re Sixteen.”
Among the many highlights of Perry’s career was the collaboration on John Lennon’s “I’m the Greatest,” which saw three former Beatles come together in the studio just three years after their split. Perry described this experience in his 2021 memoir, “Cloud Nine,” recalling the profound feeling of being at the center of musical history as he witnessed friends come together out of their shared love for music.
A crucial part of Perry’s success included his work on Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” a single he considered his closest achievement to perfection. The song, which became a massive hit in 1972, sparked long-running speculation regarding its subject, which Perry later clarified in his memoir. “The inspiration was a mixture of several men Carly dated in the 60s and early 70s, primarily my good friend, Warren Beatty.”
In the 1980s and beyond, Perry continued to create hits, producing The Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance” and DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night.” His most recognized work came from Rod Stewart’s “The Great American Songbook” albums, which were born during a difficult time for the rock star. After Stewart’s marriage to Rachel Hunter ended, the two collaborated over dinner, leading to the decision to record an album of classic standards—marking a significant turning point in Stewart’s career.
Born to a musical family in New York City, Perry’s early life was filled with encouragement from his parents, who co-founded Peripole Music, an innovative instrument manufacturer. He learned various instruments and formed the doo-wop group, The Escorts. After pursuing music and theater at the University of Michigan, Perry shifted his ambitions toward production in the mid-1960s, creating a successful career that would allow him to work with a range of artists from Tiny Tim to Barbra Streisand.
“I liked Richard from the moment we met,” Streisand wrote, recalling their first collaboration, “He was tall with a mop of dark curly hair and a big smile to match his big heart.” Their fruitful partnership was just one example of Perry’s ability to foster rich creative relationships in the music industry.
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Contributions from AP Music Writer Maria Sherman and AP Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. aided in the creation of this tribute.
