CHARLIE FACH R.I.P.ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
April 29, 2011
I first met Charlie Fach in 1962 when I was 19, hanging out in songwriter Paul Vance’s office. While waiting for Paul to return from lunch, Charlie played me his new release on SMASH, “Hey Baby”, by Bruce Channel and made me feel like I was really part of the music business!
From then on, whenever I had a hot master, Charlie was always the first one I’d show it to. Even when a couple of records I sold him bombed, he would encourage me to come back and say, “Don’t worry, your next production could be your first hit!”
Over the years Charlie signed me as an artist to Smash a couple of times, and when he started his label Intrepid records, I produced a few acts for him. Although we never had any hits together, I consider myself lucky to have learned so much from him, and most of all to have been his friend.
When promotion man Herb Rosen told me of his passing he said, “I have known Charlie Fach for over 50 years and have never met a better record man or a truer friend. Charlie lived the record business day and night. I will miss him.”
Here are some comments other friends have made.
When promotion man Herb Rosen told me of his passing he said, “I have known Charlie Fach for over 50 years and have never met a better record man or a truer friend. Charlie lived the record business day and night. I will miss him.”
Here are some comments other friends have made.
“Charlie Fach had great ears and was an early role model for me. Everything a great A &R man should be. I was 16 and he didn’t know me, but answered my calls when I had a master to play for him. I was very nervous going to see a major label guy, especially at Mercury/Smash, which was always a hot label mostly because of Charlie, but he was so warm and friendly. He would really listen, and had a way of turning you down that still left you feeling good about what you had created. He was right so many times with so many hits.
When I become head of A&R at RCA, I often found myself thinking about how Charlie would handle a specific problem I was having. I knew that I didn’t have his gift or his kindness. It was interesting to watch the Mercury/Smash slide when they moved him to the sidelines. Obviously he was the difference.
One of the nicest and most professional people I’ve ever met. My life is a better life for having known him.”
Warren Schatz
“So sorry Artie, another good guy bites the dust. Rest In Peace my Brother.”
Jerry Heller
“Sorry to hear about his passing. Was it expected?”
Steven Machat
“I remember him; he was always nice to me.”
Billy Vera
Charlie Fach with Bachman -Turner overdrive obviously “Takin’ Care of Business”
AS ARTIE WAYNE KNOWS i SPENT QUITE A WHILE WORKING WITH CHARLIE FACH WHEN WE WERE TOGETHER AT MERCURY. HE WAS ONE OF THE RARE GENTLEMAN THAT I CROSSED PASSED WITH IN MY CAREER AND I LOVED WORKING WITH CHARLIE.I MISS HIM AND OUR MEMORIES.,
ARTIE KORNFELD
“As my buddy Wavy Gravy is fond of saying when pals pass, “Good Grief.”
Lee Housekeeper
“A brilliant record man!”
Steve Cropper
“My thoughts go out to the family”
Rick Garvin
“I’m very sorry to hear this, Artie.”
Bill LaBounty
“He’s sadly passing to another calling…respect!”
Kenny Young
“Wow. I remember Charlie from 1650 Broadway when I had my office up there and he had his own small label (Intrepid records) Sad”
Seth Greenky
Charlie Fach with Kool and The Gang
“Sad to hear about Charlie. I did some early producing for him in the old West 57th Street studio. It was a great old four track board, but eventually wound up at the Warner studio in the Newsweek building instead.”
Jim Nash
“Charlie was a huge influence in my decision to make record production and the music business my lifelong career I found a very talented male singer and cut a single on him in 1965 I didn’t know Charlie and made a cold call to Mercury He was very gracious and spent close to an hour advising me on how to navigate the music waters This in turn led to my bringing the track to Art Talmadge And Gene Pitney and producing Gene and being hired as a staff producer/a&r At the lable Thank You Charlie RIP”
George Tobin
Charlie was a mentor for me for thirty years and was one of the most willing people to share knowledge than I ever met. I’ll send you some more tomorrow if it’s not too late. Charlie was a good man. I never heard an unkind word said about him.
Bob Kirsh
“I reped Smash records in the early 60’s working for JK Distributing in Detroit. Alan Mink (deceased) was the Smash regional guy and I remember the company being very successful during Charlie’s tenure”
Harvey Cooper
“I will always remember Charlie promoting me on Roger Miller’s “Chug-a-Lug” in 64 right in the middle of the English Invasion….”If for no other reason, give an American artist a break”….we did at KQV and the record broke in Pittsburgh, picked up by Gavin and started a career for Roger nationally. Charlie presented me with a gold record….”it all started right here” he said. Good guy…”
John Rook
“Charlie Fach was the king of understanding low rent/low fi/under financed record productions. He acquired most of the great one hit wonders that appeared on Smash Records. He told me more than once that he understood my production technique of the first Runaways album. He got it. Thank You, Charlie. You will be missed.
Sincerely, Kim Fowley”
“When my old friend, Artie Wayne, told me about the passing of Charlie Fach, I was/ am sadder than the usual sad we feel when someone passes on…’cause Charlie was the real deal. Mr. Fach did it all- and did it all with such class.
When I first met him, he was playing sax at a charitable event. Charlie having been a musician himself gave him even more credibility. He had great ears and camaraderie with songwriters and singers and he could sell others better than he could sell himself. He was instrumental in Making Jerry Lee Lewis, Roger Miller, Vern Gosdin and a host of others household names.
There weren’t a lot of females writing song like there are now when I first started. He treated this girl–and all the ladies i knew, for that matter, with such respect. He was refreshing. Now even in death he teaches us yet another priceless lesson. Simply put, we don’t have forever so when someone has enhanced our lives even in some small way we must make it a point to at least make a phone call to say “hello” and pay a personal tribute while we still can.
My heart goes out to your family–those who knew you best, loved you longest and carried your name with pride…those who will miss you even more than all the rest of us. They were lucky to have you, and so were those of us who had the privilege of knowing you over all these years. I hope you and my dear husband Ron Anton (he liked you, too!!) are reminiscing in Heaven long about now. Two of the really good guys!
I don’t say “goodbye” I just say” so long….great job…and until we say “hello” again at the gate, please watch over us. We love you, and love is Eternal.”
Dene Hofheinz Anton
l-r Buddy Killen, Burt Reynolds, Bobby Goldsboro, and Charlie Fach
Bless you, Charlie Fach, may you ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
Respectfully, your friend, Artie Wayne http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53813
Special thanks to Charlie Fach jr, Herb Rosen, Mike Edwards, and Sally Stevens http://rockphiles.typepad.com/ for helping to put this tribute together.
For the obituary and information on the memorial service www.hermitagefh.com
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne
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NY TIMES OBITUARY FOR “BABY IT’S YOU”
April 28, 2011
With all of the great music and artists they had to work with, the producers of “BABY, IT’S YOU” seem to have blown it. I can’t give you a first hand report, since some “bloggers” weren’t considered important enough to be given tickets to the show, but here is the New York Times review.
Girl Group Tale Is Reharmonized
Even though I was signed to Scepter Records I got a salary, for writing and producing the Shirelles, The Guess Who, and The Kingsmen, I never received one penny in royalties. I’m sorry to hear that Florence Greenberg, who once loomed so large in our industry, has been given such a poor tribute.
FOR A PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO MY OLD BOSS FLORENCE GREENBERG https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/a-tribute-to-florence-greenberg/
SHAME ON YOU “BABY, IT’S YOU” PRESS AGENTS https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/shame-on-you-baby-its-you-publicists/https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/shame-on-you-baby-its-you-publicists/
BEING THE FIRST TO HEAR “WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW” FROM CAROLE KING https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2006/09/14/aldon-music-at-1650-broadway-and-a-historic-encounter-with-carole-king/
IN THE STUDIO PRODUCING THE SHIRELLES https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/the-shirelles-christmas-song-mama-my-soldier-boys-coming-home/
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
IF YOU WANT TO READ REAL FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS BACK IN THE DAY PICK UP A COPY OF MY BOOK, “I DID IT FOR A SONG” JUST RELEASED ON SMASHWORDS! http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53813
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SHIRELLES SUE “BABY, IT’S YOU” TO STOP THE OPENING TONIGHT!
April 27, 2011
In the tradition of the the old music business where the artists are the last to get paid, it’s DeJa Vu all over again! The producers of “Baby, It’s You” didn’t bother to get permission to use the Shirelles copyrighted name and group filed suit today to stop the show from opening tonight!
The complaint filed in New York State’s Supreme Court alleges the producers of the musical did not get permission from Warwick, Chuck Jackson or Beverly Lee, Doris Coley Jackson and Addie Harris Jackson of The Shirelles to portray them on stage. It seeks unspecified damages.
“These national treasures were taken advantage of at the infancy of their careers,” said Oren Warshavsky, a lawyer at Baker Hostetler, which filed the lawsuit. “Now they have to watch it done to them again on stage and once more not get paid.”
The show, which stars Tony Award winner Beth Leavel, traces the career of recording executive Florence Greenberg, who discovered several acts at the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll. It features actors portraying The Shirelles, Warwick and Jackson, and performances of some of the songs they made top sellers.
The Shirelles were formed in 1958 in New Jersey and had hits with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Dedicated to the One I Love,” “Mama Said,” “Soldier Boy” and “Baby, It’s You.” Among the tunes for which Jackson was known: “I Don’t Want to Cry” and “Any Day Now.” Warwick’s hits include “Walk on By” and “Don’t Make Me Over.”
The musical, which has a story written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, began previews on March 26 and officially opens at the Broadhurst Theatre on Wednesday evening.”
For my other articles on Florence Greenberg, “BABY, IT”S YOU”, Carole King, and the Shirelles
FOR A PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO MY OLD BOSS FLORENCE GREENBERG https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/a-tribute-to-florence-greenberg/
SHAME ON YOU “BABY, IT’S YOU” PRESS AGENTS https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/shame-on-you-baby-its-you-publicists/https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/shame-on-you-baby-its-you-publicists/
ON BEING THE FIRST TO HEAR “WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW” FROM CAROLE KING https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2006/09/14/aldon-music-at-1650-broadway-and-a-historic-encounter-with-carole-king/
IN THE STUDIO PRODUCING THE SHIRELLES https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/the-shirelles-christmas-song-mama-my-soldier-boys-coming-home/
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
IF YOU WANT TO READ REAL FIRST HAND ACCOUNTS OF THE MUSIC BUSINESS BACK IN THE DAY PICK UP A COPY OF MY BOOK, “I DID IT FOR A SONG” JUST RELEASED ON SMASHWORDS! http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53813
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SHAME ON “BABY, IT’S YOU” PUBLICISTS!
April 26, 2011
After writing a few articles about my old boss Florence Greenberg and the Broadway show “BABY, IT”S YOU” I got a letter from the show’s publicist,
”Hope you are doing well! I wanted to follow up and let you know that BABY IT’S YOU will be hosting a Blogger Night! If you are interested, Follow the directions on the page to win a pair of tickets to the show…Let me know if you have any questions!”
Yeah…I’ve got one question, “ARE YOU CRAZY?” WIN a pair of tickets? I’m disabled and I live in the California desert, and I might’ve considered going to New York to see the show when it opens now I DON’T THINK SO! WIN a pair of tickets indeed?
I may not be Perez Hilton, but I have over 1,840,000 views on Artie Wayne on the Web and 40 years worth of credentials as an “underground tastemaker” from helping to break “Jesus Christ Superstar” https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2006/07/31/jesus-christ-superstar-ascends-2/ to being the first to rave about Tommy James book, “Me, The Mob, and The Music” https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/tommy-james-shocking-new-book-methe-mob-and-the-music/
I may not have a huge following, but my readers are amazingly influential as you can see from the comments made at the bottom of these articles https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/ellie-greenwich-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/ as well as https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/whos-going-to-replace-simon-cowell-ron-fair-or-joel-diamond/
BTW, I googled Florence Greenberg “Baby, It’s You” and here’s what came up.
-
News & Reviews – Baby It’s You! – Official Broadway Site
Inspired by the true story of Florence Greenberg, the woman who in the late 1950’s took the male-dominated music industry by storm, Baby It’s You! is a new …
babyitsyouonbroadway.com/news.html – Cached
I wonder how my friend Artie Ripp, one of the producers of “BABY, IT”S YOU” is going to respond when he finds out how his publicity is being handled (he also is one my readers).
I wish the show well, but don’t expect me or any of my inconsequential “blogger friends” to support it.
Regretfully, Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
P.S. last night I put this article up on Facebook and got these responses.
Todd Everett I should point out that you could have seen the show here in L.A. — it played forever at the Coast Playhouse (where I saw it), then had its “premiere” at the Pasadena Playhouse. Changed quite a bit, I guess, between the two; and probably between Pasadena and Broadway. I paid for my ticket, though through Goldstar
Ellen Sander Jeez if they had to comp every blogger, they’d have nothing left to sell!
Artie Wayne MAYBE I’M SPOILED, BUT THE LAST SEATS I PAID FOR WERE THE BEATLES AT CARNEGIE HALL AND WAS PISSED OFF HAVING TO PAY $10.00 EACH!
Sally Stevens Artie’s point was that he’s been blogging about Florence for quite some time, as he used to work with her back in the day. It’s a little different from “every blogger.” He still comes up in the top three in the Google rankings when you search Florence.
Tom Tom Slocum Artie is correct..
Ellen Sander I do see his point.
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne http://artiewayne.com
Here’s my best article on Florence Greenberg and, “BABY, IT’S YOU” https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/a-tribute-to-florence-greenberg/
FLASH!!!!!!!! THIS JUST CAME IN FROM MARK KENNEDY ASSOCIATED PRESS DRAMA WRITER!
By MARK KENNEDY AP Drama Writer
The complaint filed in New York State’s Supreme Court alleges the producers of the musical did not get permission from Warwick, Chuck Jackson or Beverly Lee, Doris Coley Jackson and Addie Harris Jackson of The Shirelles to portray them on stage. It seeks unspecified damages.
“These national treasures were taken advantage of at the infancy of their careers,” said Oren Warshavsky, a lawyer at Baker Hostetler, which filed the lawsuit. “Now they have to watch it done to them again on stage and once more not get paid.” For complete story http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=13470008
OK…ENOUGH FRIVOLITY! HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT MY NEW AUTOBIOGRAPHY “I DID IT FOR A SONG”, NOT ONLY DOES IT CHRONICLE MY 50 YEARS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS..IT REVEALS THE SECRET OF LIFE ITSELF! http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53813
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HUEY MEAUX R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
April 25, 2011
The first time I met producer Huey Meaux was at Harold Lipsius’ office at Jaime/ Guyden records in Philadelphia, in 1964. The next time I saw him was a few hours later as we shared a train ride back to New York City with our unsold masters in one hand and a drink in another.
I’d run into him from time in Florence Greenberg’s office up at Scepter Records or at one of the trade papers. He was always the character in his cowboy hat filled to the brim with questionable jokes and his bag chock full of the records he was pushing.
The Houston Times did a good obituary on him. http://blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks/2011/04/controversial_producer_huey_me.php but you can learn more about Huey from the artists that he found and the records that he produced. Here is one of my favorites.
If you have a good story to tell about Huey, please leave it in the comments below.
Huey Meaux R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
Respectfully, Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
For information on my book “I Did It For A Song” http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53813
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AN OPEN LETTER TO OPRAH WINFREY!
April 25, 2011
I doubt if you remember me, but many years ago you stopped me while I was “strutting” down Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, to ask where I got the hand-painted jacket I was wearing. I said I made it and sold them out of ”Genghis Cohen,” a high-end Chinese restaurant, which I named and hosted.
You laughed when I told you that, the night before, Miles Davis had tried to get me to give him the $2,500 creation for free because “he was an artist and people gave him things for free,” and I had to tell him, “What am I? Chopped liver?”
You asked me to get in touch with you, but I didn’t because I was starting to lose control of my hands and my ability to paint.
I hope it’s not too late to reach out to you.
I’ve written a book, “I DID IT FOR A SONG,” which I have just published which recounts my 50 years in and around the music business, including historic musical events and lots of reminiscences about many of your friends, including Michael Jackson, who recorded a couple of my songs, Quincy Jones who’s publishing I represented for 5 years, Ashford and Simpson who I helped get to MOTOWN.
It’s also a tale of my triumph over adversity. I no longer have the ability to walk, nor do I have control of my hands except for one finger, which I use to type.
My blog has over 1,800.000 views https://artiewayne.wordpress.com and my book, which has taken over four years to complete was released last week. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53813 (if you have one of your staff contact me I’ll send you a copy).
Oprah – you are an inspiration to so many people, as am I in my own way, but I want to reach millions like you do. You are one of the few people on earth who understand what I’m trying to do, and might help me achieve that goal.
I’ll never give up because I believe, “There is always hope and if you can only lift one finger…you still can point the way!
Regards, Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
For information on my book “I Did It For A Song” http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53813
Photo of me in the jacket by Patti Dahlstrom http://pattidahlstrom.com
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HAPPY EASTER FROM ARTIE AND STREAKER!
April 24, 2011
I HOPE YOU ALL WILL ENJOY CARRIE UNDERWOOD WITH VINCE GILL SINGING “HOW GREAT THOU ART”. It’s one of best, if not THE BEST version I’ve ever heard!
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
For information on my book “I Did It For A Song” http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53813
BACK TO ARTIE WAYNE ON THE WEB! https://artiewayne.wordpress.com
For the last three years I’ve been writing my book about my 50 years in the music business. I was warned not to write about certain people, certain companies, and certain things which made me want to tell more.
As my blog became more popular with over 1,870,000 VIEWS, I began to get bolder and relentlessly went after large corporations and social networks until they discontinued some of their questionable practices.
I’m proud to have been the first to write about Tommy James’ shocking book, “ME, THE MOB, AND THE MUSIC” and have an exclusive no-holds barred three part interview with my pal from the past and former label mate…probably the only such event where the participants didn’t have to go into the witness protection program right after the show!
In my book, “I DID IT FOR A SONG”, I write about my first hand experiences songwriting (Aretha, Michael Jackson,Tony Orlando, Cher, etc.) producing (the Kingsmen, The Shirelles, the Guess Who) and getting hits for Warner Brothers Music (“You’re 16″, “R+R Heaven”) and Irving/ Almo music (“I Honestly Love You”, “Our Day Will Come”).
I share my private stories about, Carole King, MORRIS LEVY, Neil Bogart, The BEATLES, Jimi Hendrix, SCOTT SHANNON, Eagles, MICHAEL JACKSON, Bert Berns, THREE DOG NIGHT, Alan Freed, BOBBY DARIN, Brian Wilson, PAUL WILLIAMS, Murray The K, TOMMY JAMES and the Shondells, Olivia Newton-John, HERB ALPERT, JERRY MOSS, Don Kirshner, RICK JAMES, Rolling Stones, ELLIE GREENWICH, Clive Davis, Barry White, DAVID GEFFEN, Marvin Gaye, QUINCY JONES, The Rolling Stones, DAVID BOWIE, Phil Spector, AND DOZENS MORE!
EXTRA! EXTRA! YOU CAN BUY MY BOOK ,“I DID IT FOR A SONG” AT AMAZON or Barnes & Noble or 
TO READ A CHAPTER OR TWO FOR FREE CLICK HERE
TO READ SOME OF THE COMMENTS CLICK HERE
Thanks and regards, Artie Wayne http://artiewayne.com
Special thanks to Sally Stevens for the Rainbow’s End photopainting on the cover. http://sallystevens.fineartstudioonline.com/
http://rockphiles.typepad.com/a_life_in_the_day/
http://www.rockphiles.com/rp_artistIndex.php
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
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IT’S ANIMAL APPRECIATION DAY!
April 17, 2011
IT’S THE ONE DAY -A-YEAR WE PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS…IF YOU WANT YOUR PET TO HAVE THEIR PICTURE IN THIS TRIBUTE JUST E-MAIL ME AT artiewayne@gmail.com
Photo at the very top – Elizabeth Taylor and Lassie
Then from top to bottom – 1. my Whoppy and Streaker 2. Sally Stevens’ Lyric and Geronimo 3. Toni Wine and Allan Rindes’ Arfer 4. Patti and Richard Kimballs’ Kitty 5. Bobbi Cowans’ Thelma and Louise 6. Steve Budeskys’ Greeter 7. Alan O’Day with Chipper (photo by Yuka) 8. Ollabelle and Gary Halls’ Chuck (photo by Patti Dahlstrom) 9. Biggie 10. Sunny Smiths’ Lucky 11. Nookie and me. 12. Donn Dabneys’ Moxie and Cooper 13. Rose Gross -Marinos’ Tikky 14. Gary Theroux Clover in 1982 15. Barry Oslander with Bonnie 16. Bonnie and Bo 17. Steve Budeskys’ Blackie 18. Dawn Lee Wakefield’s Barney, 19 Karen Brown”s Sophie and Skye, 20. Randy Huack’s Benji and Daisy Mae 20. Mark Zuckerberg’s Beast 2 1. Carolyn Travis and Chris Gilson’s Barkley 22. Ellen Feldman’ s infamous TIG!
Thanks to everyone who submitted your pictures for ANIMAL APPRECIATION DAY!
copyright 2012 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/celebrating-two-million-views-today-on-artie-wayne-on-the-web/
RANDY WOOD R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
April 17, 2011
His practice of having white singers record black artists’ hits is credited by some with helping black musicians — and early rock music — break into the commercial mainstream.
Before I started out in the music business in the early 60’s, Randy Wood was one of the first names I recognized from record labels. As a young impressionable singer/ songwriter I wanted to be like his biggest star on Dot records, Pat Boone, the only problem I had was that I was black!
When I went to visit relatives in Monessen, Pa. whether I was in a car, a store, or somebody’s house, it felt like I was constantly surrounded by this fresh, forbidden music called Rock and Roll. My cousin Sharon laughed when I asked who the Black guy was singing Rick Nelson’s song, “I’m Walkin’.” She said, “It’s Fats Domino, who wrote it and did the original record.”
This was the first time that I realized that Top 40 radio in New York didn’t play “race records,” as music by “colored” artists was known. I never heard the original version of, “Sh-Boom” by the Chords; the only version I knew was the cover record by the white pop group, The Crew Cuts; I even thought of Pat Boone as the originator of “Ain’t That a Shame”.
Then I started hearing stories about Randy Wood, the man behind Pat Boone and Dot Records.
By Valerie J. Nelson, L.A Times Obituary
April 14, 2011
Dot Records founder Randy Wood was looking for a song for a young Pat Boone to record in 1955 and found it in the Fats Domino hit “Ain’t That a Shame?” Except Boone, then an English major, wanted to sing “Isn’t That a Shame?” After a few run-throughs, Wood insisted, “It’s got to be ‘ain’t’,” and Boone soon had his first No. 1 single. Wood’s practice of having white singers such as Boone cover rhythm and blues hits by black artists is credited by some with helping black musicians — and early rock music — break into the commercial mainstream. Pop stations that had limited airplay mainly to white artists found room for the remakes, which helped introduce the black R&B sound to a white audience.
Wood died Saturday at his La Jolla home of complications from injuries suffered in a fall down stairs in his house, said his son John Wood. He was 94. Calling him “one of the people I owe my career to,” singer Pat Boone said Wood “picked out all my early hits.” “He was just my mentor, my angel,” Boone, who stayed with Dot Records for 13 years, told The Times in 2005.
The R&B remakes were not without controversy. Dot Records, Boone and other singers were accused of stealing music and success from the black artists.
“That’s a perversion of history,” Boone said. “The recording directors at the small R&B labels wanted to attract attention to their artists, and the covers expanded the impact of the song. Little Richard, Fats Domino and Chuck Berry were all thrilled because it made it possible for their songs to finally get heard, and Randy knew that.”
At one point in the mid-1950s, Dot had five of the top 10 hits on the Billboard charts, said Larry Welk, who is the son of the late band leader Lawrence Welk and first worked with Wood in 1960. “He was a true pioneer in the music business,” Welk said in a 2005 Times interview. “He put in effect a lot of policies in the music business that will outlive him.”
Randy Wood R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETUITY
Respectfully Artie Wayne
Special thanks to Sally Stevens for helping me put this article together http://rockphiles.typepad.com/a_life_in_the_day/2011/03/index.html
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
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