EVERYTHING OLD IS NEWS AGAIN! #2
May 7, 2012
CONGRATULATIONS TO ROBERT DOWNEY , JR. ON THE $207,000,000 OPENING WEEKEND OF “THE AVENGERS”! I KNEW ROBERT EARLY IN HIS CAREER WHEN HE AND HIS THEN GIRLFRIEND, SARAH JESSICA PARKER (“SEX IN THE CITY”) WERE REGULAR CUSTOMERS AT GENGHIS COHEN, A HOLLYWOOD HOT SPOT I NAMED AND HOSTED FOR NINE YEARS.
“One night when I came into work, I saw Sarah Jessica Parker and Robert Downey, Jr. sitting at a tiny table for 2 in the middle of an empty restaurant. I introduced myself and asked if they would prefer to have a booth?
When they finished dinner, I sat with them and told them how much I enjoyed Sarah in “Girls Just Wanna’ Have Fun” and Robert in “Weird Science”. They told me that they appreciated how well they were treated at Genghis Cohen. Other restaurants, wanted them to get in and out because they weren’t of drinking age and could only spend so much. I told them whenever you or your friends wanted to come in just call me. I assured them that “At Genghis Cohen, your wish…Is your problem!”
They laughed and not only became restaurant regulars, but became enthusiastic supporters of my wearable art.
WHEN I STARTED HOSTING GENGHIS COHEN, I COULDN’T AFFORD TO KEEP UP FASHION WISE WITH OUR WEALTHY CUSTOMERS, SO I BEGAN PAINTING MY OLD CLOTHES, WHICH STARTED SELLING RIGHT OFF OF MY BACK!
THIS IS A PICTURE OF ERTE (THE FATHER OF ART DECO) WEARING ONE OF MY HAND PAINTED JACKETS I NAMED AFTER HIM. SIMILAR TO ONE OF THE OUTFITS I MADE FOR ROBERT.
Congratulations to my old friend and fellow staff writer, CAROLE KING, whose book is on the NY TIMES BEST SELLER LIST
And for the rave reviews she’s getting for her new CD THE LEGENDARY DEMOS”. Here’s one by DAWN LEE WAKEFIELD of the NATIONAL EXAMINER https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/tag/dawn-lee-wakefield-review-legendary-demos-by-carole-king/
A few days after I ran the review got an email from my longtime friend Producer/ engineer BROOKS ARTHUR…
GREAT ARTICLE! Did you know that i was the engineer on many of the demos in her new CD “THE LEGENDARY DEMOS”? Carole used some of my interview for the liner notes. Just to be mentioned in the same paragraph as CAROLE KING is an honor.
Brooks Arthur http://www.brooksarthur.com
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Thanks again to all of you for your prayers and good wishes. I am grateful to GOD that I’m able to continue with my work a little longer. I am getting my steroids and vicodin daily, and my next caudal steroid Injection on Tuesday!
EXCLUSIVE! The Amazing Dr. Lai has gotten permission for me to have my next PRP procedure video taped. I’ll keep you posted.
The last two weeks have been difficult for me with the passing of publisher Jay Warner, https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/artie-wayne-on-the-web-updates-and-coming-attractions/ songwriter advocate Mandi Martin https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/mandi-martin-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/ and Buddy Saltzman, who’s played on more hit records than any other session drummer in history! https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/buddy-saltzman-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/
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It isn’t easy to write about my friends making their final transition, but it’s important to me that their contributions to the music business be acknowledged and archived where they can be easily accessed by all of us.
People ask me all the time where i find my graphics and videos…There is only one place I go for pictures, bios, videos and music and that’s to my friend Laura Pinto and her fantastic site, the LAURA PINTO OLDIES CONNECTION which lovingly and accurately documents the music of our generation. https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/the-laura-pinto-oldies-connection/
Laura was just telling me about THE MUSIC OF JEFF BARRY YOUTUBE GALLERY which features Jeff’s hits from “TELL LAURA I LOVE HER”, through the SPECTOR ERA, “DA DOO RUN RUN”, “THEN HE KISSED ME”, “GOIN’ TO THE CHAPEL”, THE MONKEES, THE ARCHIES, all the way to “I HONESTLY LOVE YOU” http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB012CE9C54E6915A
And here’s a song that I believe is yet to be a hit, that I rediscovered among the treasures that Laura has gathered, “(Even A Blind Man Can Tell When He’s) WALKING IN THE SUN” written and performed by Jeff Barry. http://lpintop.tripod.com/jeffbarry/id22.html
MY PAL LARRY WEISS (“RHINESTONE COWBOY”) EMAILED ME…AS YOU KNOW..”HI YO SILVER LINING”, BECAME JEFF BECK’S BIGGEST AND ONLY VOCAL HIT..A MONSTEROUS ROCK ANTHEM FOR HIM AND US, THAT TODAY HAS MORPHED INTO ONE OF THE BIGGEST SOCCER THEMES IN THE UK..THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY..
BEST..LARRY..
WOW! I’M REALLY HAPPY FOR YOU AND SCOTT ENGLISH http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avP-8i_YEO8&feature=related
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I’VE BEEN GATHERING COMMENTS FOR MY DICK CLARK TRIBUTE AND WHEN I ASKED RICH PODOLSKY, AUTHOR OF “DON KIRSHNER…MAN WITH THE GOLDEN EAR”, THIS IS WHAT HE SAID,”…
Artie–When i was 15 growing up in Philly, a couple of buddies were going out with a few girls from South Philly who danced on Bandstand Friday afternoons. Somehow I got talked into going because the girls could get us in. Dick Clark was the epitome of suave. And he was nice when the camera was off, too. That day I was determined to stay in the bleachers but I gave in when I was dragged on the dance floor for a slow song. While dancing I got the button on my jacket sleeve stuck in my partner’s hair. When the record ended we were still stuck and of course Dick was standing next to us with his mike and a camera. Could be the most embarrassing moment of my youth.- -Rich Podolsky, author of ”Don Kirshner: The Man with the Golden Ear.” (RJP2001@aol.com)
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EXTRA! I JUST ADDED A CLIP OF JERRY LEE LEWIS DEBUTING , “GREAT BALLS OF FIRE” ON THE VERY FIRST DICK CLARK SATURDAY NIGHT SHOW, WHICH I ATTENDED…A 14 MINUTE CLIP OF THE AMERICAN BANDSTAND 30TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW…AND A HALF HOUR SHOW FEATURING DICK ON RALPH EDWARDS “THIS IS YOUR LIFE”!
I was just about to close the comments section to my Dick Clark Tribute when Roger McGuinn, Diane Warren, Artie Kornfeld, Ben Fong Torres, Lou Christie, all made last minute contributions, perhaps you would too. Just click onto https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/dick-clark-r-i-p-rock-in-perpetuity/
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Have you heard the current #1 single by GOTYE “SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW”, which is also the biggest song in the world with 195 MILLION VIEWS on YouTube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY&feature=share
HAVE A GREAT WEEK…AND ALWAYS REMEMBER “HOW WONDERFUL LIFE IS IF YOU’RE NOT A TURD!”
Wayne artiewayne@gmail.com
Thanks to Laura Pinto , Dawn Lee Wakefield, and Patti Dahlstrom for helping me put this article together.
Copyright 2012 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/celebrating-two-million-views-today-on-artie-wayne-on-the-web/
NOW YOU CAN BUY THE ARTIE WAYNE BOOK ,“I DID IT FOR A SONG” AT AMAZON or Barnes & Noble or from Smashwords
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ARTIE WAYNE ON THE WEB OCTOBER BULLETIN BOARD
October 27, 2011
My longtime friend Grammy winning producer, engineer, and music supervisor Brooks Arthur called me up to thank me for the article I wrote about him a few weeks ago. He also asked if I would post his thank you to everyone who took a moment to write a comment…
Artie:
“Since I do not have access to your entire mailing list, please be kind enough to pass my thank you note along to all your readers for me.
WOW! Quite an experience … thinking I was gonna’ read an article (a little blog) and then BLAMMO, messages and wonderful notes from you, your readers, my colleagues and of course … Friends. Well, truth be known, everyone of you guys and girls and groups and singers & musicians & producers & engineers & studios have helped to make me who I am today. Every session, every moment, every laugh, every tear, every hit recordand those records that should have made it but didn’t, are all a part of my heart forever!
It took alot of doing to scroll thru the tributes and remembrances without welling up a few times, but I powered thru it.
Yours in song, FOREVER!”
Brooks Arthur http://brooksarthur.com
TO READ THE ARTICLE “SPOTLIGHT ON BROOKS ARTHUR” CLICK ONTO https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/spotlight-on-brooks-arthur/
This seems to be the year of the documentary, with the Phil Ochs film, “THERE BUT FOR FORTUNE”, and GEORGE HARRISON’S, “LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD”, tearing up our collective conciousness. Now we can look forward to BEACH BOY, DENNIS WILSON and THE COWSILLS coming to theaters, and finally the long awaited film celebrating BOB MARLEY which is in final negotiations, and will be on our screens late next year!
People have been asking me how my stem cell procedure (using my adult stem cells…not embryos) is working. I tell the them that I’ve gone from feeling incredible for a few hours…to feeling like I’m gonna’ die! As the weeks go by though, I’m starting to even out and feel optimistic that I’ll walk again!
IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS WE’VE BEEN READING ABOUT THE “OCCUPY TOGETHER” MOVEMENT, WHERE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD HAVE GATHERED TO PROTEST AGAINST INEQUALITY, MONETARY DISFUNCTION, AND THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE.
WHEN ASKED IF SHE WOULD ALLOW HER SONG, “SHINE” TO BE USED AS THE ANTHEM FOR THE MOVEMENT, SINGER/SONGWRITER HEIDI LITTLE, SAID SHE’S “HAPPY TO LET ANY ORGANIZATION USE HER SONG AS LONG AS IT’S IN THE NAME OF PEACE.” http://heidilittle.com
TO HEAR “SHINE” CLICK ONTO https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/occupy-together-and-heidi-little-shine/
The quote of the day comes from Producer, composer, and all around good guy, QUINCY JONES. Even though I haven’t seen Q in years, I remember the time that we spent together as one of the highlights of my life! I read something recently he said to his critics that inspires me whenever I get low on self esteem. “Not one drop of my self-worth depends on your acceptance of me”
AFTER BEING RAINED OUT LAST MONTH, MY FRIEND DON ORIOLLO, WILL BE HAVING HIS ART SHOW IN FLORIDA, FEATURING HIS PAL, WORLD-WIDE ICON, FELIX THE CAT DEPICTED IN DOZENS OF DIFFERENT SETTINGS AND ART TECHNIQUES. 
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO http://felixthecat.com
Top photo l to r Brooks Arthur, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich
Photo of Heidi Little and outfit by Stephanie M. Dejoseph of Lamia designs
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
EXTRA! EXTRA! NOW YOU CAN BUY MY NEW BOOK ,“I DID IT FOR A SONG” AT AMAZON or Barnes & Noble or from Smashwords
TO READ A CHAPTER OR TWO FOR FREE CLICK HERE
TO READ SOME OF THE COMMENTS CLICK HERE
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CHAPTER 4
This is a picture of me and my first day on the job at NewYork’s Lowe’s State Theater, yelling, “Immediate seating for Gone with the Wind! ” It’s fun to meet stars like Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett, even if it’s only to take them to their seats. The most appealing part of the job, however, is the location. It’s only five blocks away from 1650 Broadway — the new Tin Pan Alley, the “hipper”BrillBuilding! This is also the day that I take my Mother up to Aldon Music, to meet Al Nevins and Donny Kirshner.
imposing man still in his 20’s, is a close friend and songwriting partner of Bobby Darin, who sent me to meet him. He gives my Mother such a pep talk about my future, even I’m convinced I can’t fail. He tells her, “If you’ve got talent and perseverance; all you need is a little luck.”
Donny’s partner Al is a member of the Three Suns (“Twilight Time”), who’s the guitar player in one of the top instrumental groups in the fifties. He’s as stylish and dapper as Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. on 77 Sunset Strip, and convinces my mother that I can learn more about the music business from spending time in their offices, than I can by going to college. Even though Al and Don only give me a $50 general advance when I sign an exclusive five-year songwriting contract, I know that millions of dollars aren’t far away.
Like Chuck Berry says, “I study hard hoping to pass.” I’m privileged to be around some of the most incredible talent who soon would become the most successful songwriters in music business history!
As a wide-eyed 18-year old, I sit for a few hours everyday in Aldon Music’s 1650 Broadway office and become friendly with most of the writers who are signed: Neil Sedaka and Howie Greenfield (“Happy Birthday Sweet 16,” “ Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” ) Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil (“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’), Carole King and Gerry Goffin (“ One Fine Day,” “I’m Into Something Good”) Larry Kolber (“I Love How You Love Me,” “Patches”), as well as Brooks Arthur, Billy Michelle, Al Gorgoni, Tony Orlando, and a 14-year old Toni Wine.
It’s exciting for me to sit around and listen to them as they discuss their songs, other people’s songs, and what radio is playing. Most of them are older than me and far more evolved. They lose me when they start talking about writing from experience, since I have none. All I can write about is my teenage angst and disappointment, which I guess gives the older writers a peek into my horny little world.
Today is just another day when I’m going to hang out at the office. I walk into the revolving door at 1650 Broadway; I glance to my left and see Sam Cooke coming out. I get so excited to see one of my idols that I stop suddenly, trapping Sam in the revolving door.
Embarrassed, I pantomime an apology while Sam smiles and exits the building. While I’m still recovering from the experience, I ride the elevator to the 6th floor with Larry Kolber, who was brought to Kirshner by his longtime friend Ira Howard.
As I’m about to discuss a song we’re writing, Larry flashes me a “look” and puts his finger to his lips to make me shut up. When we get off at our floor, he cautions me never to discuss a song I’m writing on the elevator here or at theBrillBuilding. “You never know who might be listening and steal one of your ideas.”
I apologize as we walk into Aldon. Larry is waiting for Barry Mann to bring a demo back on a song they wrote for the Paris Sisters, “I Love How You Love Me”
“I love how your eyes close, whenever you kiss me…”
Jack Keller brings in his discovery, 14 year — old Toni Wine, to go over some songs in the piano room. On his way in to meet Jack and Toni, Tony Orlando stops to say hello. He’s the first one to notice that I have my hair straightened for the first time, a la Jackie Wilson.
Barry Mann and Brooks Arthur walk in with the demo of “I Love How You Love Me,” but every room with a phonograph is occupied. While they’re waiting, everyone starts kidding around. Barry starts doing impersonations of everyone in the office. He’s got Al Nevin’s smooth style and voice down, as well as Donny Kirshner’s walk and unbridled enthusiasm. He even imitates Neil Sedaka doing his “Oh, Carol” cha-cha. I’m surprised and a bit embarrassed when Barry does an imitation of me (complete with nerdy glasses and gangly walk).
When Al and Don arrive after lunch, Faith, Al’s secretary, asks if Donny knows he’s wearing one black and one brown shoe. As he looks down at his feet I say, “I bet you have another pair just like that at home”. Everyone laughs — except for Donnie.
Later after the excitement wears down a bit, I tell Larry Kolber about my Aunt’s candy store and the cute little girl who comes in and ignores me. That’s when we start to write:
Boy At The Fountain
I’m the Boy At The Fountain in your candy store
I make all the sodas that you ask me for
You want my chocolate, pistachio, peppermint sodas but heaven above
Knows you don’t want my kisses, you don’t want my huggin’
You don’t want my love.
(etc.)
copyright 2011 EMI Music
Donny loves it, but nothing happens. It is never recorded, but it is the first song that is based on one of my own real life experiences that somebody connects with.
Although I know how to play piano, I’m amazed whenever Neil Sedaka plays. He can go from classical to R & B in a heartbeat, and when he writes with Howie Greenfield; it’s magic!
“Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la…Happy Birthday Sweet 16”
Barry Mann (“Who Put The Bomp?”) helps me develop my singing style and teaches me how to sing harmony. He helps me record my demos and is generous in showing me more interesting chords that make my songs bet
Carole King courtesy of the BBC
I occasionally baby sit for Carole King, while she’s in the studio doing demos. In return she plays keyboards, arranges, and sings all the background parts on my demos. I remember one day she comes in to play her new song for Donny Kirshner, but he’s still out to lunch. She asks me if I’d like to hear it while she rehearses it.
She sits down at the old upright piano and starts to sing,
“Tonight you’re mine completely, You give your love so sweetly….”
I sit there as she goes over “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” a few more times, even though I know I won’t be able to write anything of my own for weeks!
Then she’s summoned to Donny’s office. I think he likes it too…I can hear him yelling through the door, “It’s a Smash! It’s a F@#in’ Smash!”
photo in middle – Don Kirshner, Barry Mann, Gerry Goffin, and Al Nevins
CHAPTER 39
Jimi Hendrix stays at my apartment. Jim Morrison surprises me…
“While I’m on the West Coast I let my friend, Ann Tansey, Mercury Records’ A&R director, stay in my apartment. I didn’t know she’d invited her sometime-boyfriend, Jimi Hendrix, to stay with her.
When I arrive home, I find some nasty notes from my neighbors, about my loud guitar playing at 3:00 in the morning. The notes also say something about people going in and out of my apartment by way of the fire escape. I have no idea what really happened, but I do admit I am flattered that they think it was me playing the guitar!
It’s hard for me to get back into the rhythm of New York this time around. There are too many things pulling me back to Hollywood, including a beautiful playmate I briefly met, while she is breaking up with a friend of mine.
I’m tired of writing formula pop songs mostly about made-up experiences in a location that no longer holds any fascination for me. My partners try to re-ignite my excitement in our company, by telling me how well we’re doing financially, but that isn’t enough for me.
In the summer of ’69, my friend Allan Rinde had just joined Columbia Records family as head of Epic Records publicity. Two weeks into his stint there he himself went off to L.A.for aColumbia convention and returned with two thoughts: he didn’t want to be a publicist and he thoughtL.A.was paradise.
I did my best to convince him that both of us should move there. Excited by the prospect, he approaches Cash Box owner George Albert (remember Allan had just left Cash Box to join CBS) and convinces him he needs more help in his West Coast office. Then he quits his job. Boy, is he pissed when he finds out that I don’t quite have it together to move out there with him.
Allan forgives me by the time I visitL.A.again and lets me stay on his couch at his apartment onHarper Avenue. As I’m walking around the neighborhood I run into a lovely publicist friend of mine, who lives in the apartment downstairs from Jim Morrison and his girlfriend Pam Courson, around the corner on Norton Avenue. My publicist friend invites me in for a little “afternoon delight,” and while we’re in the middle of hooking up, a burly, bearded, blasé Morrison walks in.
She smiles innocently and says, “This is my friend, Artie” and as Jim reaches out to shake my hand, all I could say was “Pardon me if I don’t stand up”
A few weeks later I leave the surreal world of Hollywood, go back toNew York and half-heartedly start to turn out demo/masters again.”
EXTRA! EXTRA! NOW YOU CAN BUY MY WHOLE BOOK ,“I DID IT FOR A SONG” AT AMAZON or Barnes & Noble or 
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne
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DON KIRSHNER R.I.P. ROCK IN PERPETITUITY!
January 19, 2011
“After playing Bobby Darin (“Splish, Splash”) a few of my songs backstage at an Alan Freed Rock and Roll Show, I tell him I’m going to sign a management contract with Alan. Then he speaks to me privately. He tells me that a payola scandal involving Alan is about to break, and I should wait before I sign anything with the controversial Disc Jockey.
Then Bobby tells me about a longtime friend of his who just opened a publishing company at 1650 Broadway. He writes down his friend’s name, and the next day I go to audition for Don Kirshner at Aldon Music.
After hearing my songs, Don or Donnie as he likes to be called, a large imposing man still in his 20’s, gives my Mother such a pep talk about my future, even I’m convinced I can’t fail. He tells her, “If you’ve got talent and perseverance; all you need is a little luck”. Then he and his partner Al Nevins convince my mother that I can learn more about the music business from spending time in their offices, than I can by going to college.
Over the next year and a half I sit for a few hours everyday in Aldon Music and become friendly with most of the writers who are signed: Neil Sedaka and Howie Greenfield (“Happy Birthday Sweet 16”, “ Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” ), Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil (“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’), Carole King and Gerry Goffin (“ One Fine Day”, “I’m Into Something Good”) Larry Kolber (“I Love How You Love Me”, “Patches”), Jack Keller (”Run To Him”) as well as Brooks Arthur, Billy Michelle, Al Gorgoni, Tony Orlando and a 14-year old Toni Wine.
Everyday I learn something new from my pals who are becoming the tops in the music business. Donnie puts me together with Howie Greenfield who shows me how to tighten my lyrics, he asks Jack Keller to show me more interesting chords to play against my melodies, and gets me with Barry Mann to show me how to sing harmony.
I occasionally baby sit for Carole King, while she’s in the studio doing demos. In return she plays keyboards, arranges, and sings all the background parts on my demos. I remember one day she comes in to play her new song for Donnie, but he’s still out to lunch. She asks me if I’d like to hear it while she rehearses it.
She sits down at the old upright piano and starts to sing,
“Tonight you’re mine completely…You give your love so sweetly.”
I sit there with my mouth dropped open as she goes over “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” I know I won’t be able to write anything of my own for weeks as I devour every line!
Then she’s summoned to Donnie’s office. I think he likes it too…I can hear him yelling through the door, “It’s a Smash! It’s a F@#in’ Smash!”
Even though my Mother and Grandmother told me that I shouldn’t curse, from then on I thought it was cool…because Donnie Kirshner did it!
Don Kirshner truly has a golden ear, the ability to pick hit songs and match them to the right artists. Manager Ken Greengrass recalls: “Don and Sheila, his wife, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, my wife Gerry and I were all pretty friendly. We dined, partied and in the hay days of Eydie and Steve’s appearances at the Diplomat Hotel in Florida, and had many good times. Don was a wonderful music man. He brought “Go Away Little Girl”, “Blame It On the Bossa Nova”, and other wonderful songs to us for Eydie and Steve to record.”
Former editor of Cashbox, Ira Howard who also worked with Kirshner at Screen Gems Columbia recalls, “The first time I met Donnie was when he came up to my office with Bobby Darin and the two hung around my desk. I thought they were important since they came up with some exec at Roulette Records. However, I later found out that they were struggling songwriters writing commercials for Bamberger’s Dept. store in Newark, among others. We became fast friends and since I had a car, after music men softball and basketball games, I would drive Bobby down to the projects around 23rd St. and Donnie up to his parent’s place in Washington Heights. I immediately realized and that Bobby had an unbelievable gift for singing and playing a piano without knowing how to read music and that Donnie had a great “ear” for a song.”
Spending time up at Aldon put me right in the middle of all the excitement in the golden age of Pop Music. I watched Al and Donnie become the most powerful new publishers in the business, as they elevated the song into the most important part of the recording process. And even though I never became a part of the inner circle, or even got one of my own songs recorded, I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities to learn as much as I did “at the ears of the Master!”
Don Kirshner R.I.P. ROCKIN PERPETUITY!
Or as my friend Grammy winning producer/engineer, Brooks Arthur likes to say, “ALDON MUSIC FOREVER!
Respectfully, Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne from his forthcoming book “I DID IT FOR A SONG” http://artiewayne.com/book.html
photo at top l to r- Don Kirshner, Barry Mann, Gerry Goffin, and Al Nevins
second photo l-r Howard Greenfield, Don Kirshner, and Neil Sedaka
third photo Carole King
fourt photo Bobby Darin and Don Kirshner
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A TRIBUTE TO FLORENCE GREENBERG!
April 21, 2010
“In the ‘50s I grew up in the Bronx and worked in my aunt’s candy store after school. I was somewhat of a nerd, but I got hipper listening to what the kids were playing on the jukebox, especially “Met Him On A Sunday” and “Tonight’s The Night”. I never dreamed that one day I’d be working for the woman behind those records, Florence Greenberg, who describes herself as “a white woman in a black business who couldn’t carry a tune.”
Artie Kornfeld, “The Father Of Woodstock”, who co – wrote “Tonight You’re Gonna’ Fall In Love With Me”, for the Shirelles remembers, “Florence Greenberg was quite a gal! She was as strong as Morris Levy in business, but always kind to me. I do think that Marv Schlacter ran a lot of the company. I had no problem with Scepter Records…but I never checked my royalty statements back then either.”
Singer/Songwriter Larry Weiss (“Rhinestone Cowboy”, “Bend Me, Shape Me”) adds, “I REMEMBER FLORENCE GREENBERG WAS A DYNAMIC INDEPENDENT RECORD COMPANY OWNER, WHO PEOPLE HAD TO CHASE FOR AN HONEST ACCOUNTING..INCLUDING BACHARACH & DAVID..BUT SHE WAS A STRONG FORCE IN NYC FOR MANY YEARS WITH THE SHIRELLE’S, B.J. THOMAS, AND A NUMBER OF OTHER R&B ACTS.”
Russ Regan, former CEO of UNI Records and 20th Century Records adds, “I loved Florence Greenberg!! I worked for her for 3 happy years. She loved the music business; she had great Instincts for hit songs!! She loved her artists!! She was passionate about her employees!! She was truly a great human being!! They don’t make them like her anymore!!”
Ed Silvers, former president of Warner Brothers Music, fondly remembers, “Florence gave me a great opportunity, when she and Marv Schlacter offered me a job to run the publishing arm of Scepter Records, and co-own all new copyrights I could bring to the company. During my time at Scepter, I signed Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson, along with their pal Joshie Armstead. Florence was a source of information on how record companies functioned in the 60’s. She had a great feel for talent–Luther Dixon, the hot producer, Hal and Burt doing Dionne, and signing The Kingsmen from a deal she had engineered with a Seattle producer.
Florencealso knew how to deal with promotion of her releases–DJ’s came to Scepter often to receive encouragement!!! I miss her to this day.”
After being unceremoniously fired from a song plugging job four days after I got married, my old friend Ed Silvers hired me to write and produce for Scepter. I got a chance to work with some of the most talented people in the world. I did demos with Nick, Valerie and Joshie, and even co-wrote a couple of songs with Nick.
Florence was very sensitive to her employees. When Ed went on a 2 week business trip to the UK, I’ll never forget that Florence gave me a chance to write and produce some sides on the Shirelles, the Kingsmen, and the Guess Who, as well as gave me unlimited time to experiment in her new 8-track state of the art studio. If only Ed had stayed away another week, I’m sure would’ve gotten Florence to let me cut Dionne Warwick and B.J.Thomas!”
(TO BE CONTINUED)
photo at top l-r Luther Dixon, Florence Greenberg, Chuck Jackson, and Marv Schlacter
photo in the middle l to r Joshie Armstead, Nick Ashford, Artie Wayne, Valerie Simpson, bottom- Ed Silvers
thanks to Brian Gari for the middle picture from his collection
Regards, Artie Wayne http://artiewayne.com
Copyright 2011 by Artie Wayne https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
EXTRA! EXTRA! YOU CAN BUY MY BOOK ,“I DID IT FOR A SONG” AT AMAZON or Barnes & Noble or
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Artie Wayne On The Web 