Bert Keyes

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Bert Keyes
Birth nameEbert Adolphus Mahon
Also known asBurt Keyes
Born(1930-09-11)September 11, 1930
R&B, pop
Occupation(s)Pianist, songwriter, arranger
Years activec.1948–1980s

Ebert Adolphus Mahon (September 11, 1930 – July 21, 1987), known professionally as Bert Keyes, was an American pianist, songwriter, singer, and arranger.

Biography

Born in

A&R director, musical director and arranger at his new Rama label, where for the next four years he worked with such groups as the Crows, the Five Budds and the Blue Notes,[1][2] as well as recording several songs as a solo performer including "Write Me Baby" (1954).[3]

He then became

Lavern Baker's pianist and arranger on Atlantic Records. He also worked for several other labels as a songwriter and arranger with musicians including Willie Bobo, Albert King, Eydie Gormé, Timi Yuro, and Billy Bland, often working with record producer Clyde Otis.[1][4] He co-wrote Nat King Cole's 1958 hit "Angel Smile",[5] and arranged Inez and Charlie Foxx's 1963 hit "Mockingbird".[6]

As a songwriter, Keyes is credited with over 120 compositions.[7] With Sylvia Robinson, he co-wrote "Love on a Two-Way Street", first recorded by Lezli Valentine on Robinson's All Platinum label in 1968, and later a chart hit for The Moments. The Moments' recording was sampled on Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' number one single "Empire State of Mind" in 2009.[1] Keyes also moved into composing and arranging music for movies and television, including the 1975 animated movie Hugo the Hippo. In 1979, Keyes co-wrote a musical, But Never Jam Today, based on the works of Lewis Carroll.[8]

He died in Central Islip, New York, in 1987, aged 56.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Biography by Bruce Eder, AllMusic. Retrieved 22 February 2019
  2. ^ ""I Was Such A Fool"/"Midnight" by The Five Budds", VocalGroupHarmony.com. Retrieved 22 February 2019
  3. ^ 45 Discography for Rama Records, Global Dog Productions. Retrieved 22 February 2019
  4. ^ Bert Keyes Credits, Discogs.com. Retrieved 22 February 2019
  5. ^ "Songs written by Bert Keyes ", MusicVF. Retrieved 22 February 2019
  6. ^ Michael Jack Kirby, "Inez Foxx: Mockingbird", WayBackAttack. Retrieved 22 February 2019
  7. ^ "Keyes, Bert", BMI. Retrieved 21 February 2019
  8. ^ Gussow, Mel (August 1, 1979). "Stage: 'Never Jam Today' By Vinnette Carroll". The New York Times. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bert_Keyes&oldid=1204819963"