Gordon Lorenz
Gordon Albert Lorenz (4 March 1943 – 5 June 2011) was an English songwriter and record producer, who made his fame by writing the 1980 UK Christmas number one hit "
Biography
Born in
After his father died, he approached his mother nervously and told her that he wanted to become a full-time musician. After struggling for a while, he was offered a job by
Writer/producer
In 1980, Lorenz wrote "There's No One Quite Like Grandma" to tie in with the
Subsequently employed full-time by EMI, Lorenz became one of the most prolific record producers in the music industry, producing over 800 albums (believed to be a world record), selling 8 million records, earning 17 platinum, gold and silver discs featuring some of the biggest international artists. After being asked by
Lorenz also produced some albums for the children's TV series
Approached by music manager Jonathan Shalit, Lorenz was asked to produce two songs for a 12-year-old Charlotte Church, and introduce her to the recording studio. Lorenz recorded and produced her first two recordings, including the recording of "Pie Jesu".
Lorenz was a member of the British Academy of Composers and Authors, The Good Turns Society and The Music Publishers Association. He was also a vice-president of the Morriston Orpheus Choir and Llandudno Town Brass Band.[5]
Death
He died on 5 June 2011 at his home in Llandudno, Wales.[6]
Artists Lorenz produced for
- Larry Adler
- Shirley Bassey[6]
- Max Boyce[6]
- Charlotte Church
- Claudia Ciesla – Polish-born German model; her summer 2008 single "I Love Dancing in Espania" was written and produced by Lorenz, with its video shot at his home in Llandudno, Wales[7]
- Petula Clark
- John Dankworth
- Ken Dodd
- Richard Fleeshman
- Gloria Gaynor
- George Hamilton IV
- Ruthie Henshall
- Paul Jones
- Howard Keel
- Atomic Kitten[6]
- Joe Longthorne
- Lorna Luft
- Humphrey Lyttelton
- George Melly
- Anthony Newley
- Cliff Richard[6]
- David Soul
- Claire Sweeney
- Bill Tarmey
- Marti Webb
- Roger Whittaker
- Toyah Willcox
Choirs
- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- BBC Concert Orchestra
- City of London Sinfonia
- Choir of St Paul's Cathedral
- Choir of York Minster
- Choir of Exeter
- Choir of Guildford
- Choir of St George's Chapel Windsor Castle
- Bridgend Male Choir
Treorchy Male Choir
References
- ^ a b c d Pritchard, Alun (June 2004). "If someone had told me that one day Shirley Bassey would be lying on top of me, I'd have never believed it". Daily Post. Archived from the original on 16 May 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
- ^ "Record producer fined £200 over dog mess". Liverpool Daily Post. 16 April 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
- ^ "Record producer falls foul of the law". Daily Post. 16 April 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
- ^ "Jubilee anthem at palace". BBC News. 4 June 2002. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
- ^ "Biography". gordonlorenz.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
- ^ a b c d e "St Winifred's School Choir hit songwriter Lorenz dies". BBC. 6 June 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
- ^ "Welsh resort 'double' for Spain". BBC North Wales. 14 July 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2008.