Jerry Ragovoy
Jerry Ragovoy | |
---|---|
Birth name | Jordan Ragovoy |
Also known as | Norman Meade |
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | September 4, 1930
Died | July 13, 2011 | (aged 80)
Genres | Pop music |
Occupation(s) | Songwriter, record producer, studio owner |
Years active | 1953–2003 |
Jordan "Jerry" Ragovoy (September 4, 1930 – July 13, 2011)[1][2] was an American songwriter and record producer.
His best-known
He also wrote "Piece of My Heart" which became a significant hit for Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring Janis Joplin. During the 1960s, Ragovoy "helped mould the new African-American sound of soul music", according to the obituary in The Guardian.[4] During this venture, he co-wrote the Afro-pop dance song "Pata Pata" with Miriam Makeba; the song became a major hit for Makeba and was covered by numerous other artists.
He was the founder of The Hit Factory.
Early life and career
Ragovoy was born in
Another well-known song by Ragovoy is "Piece of My Heart", co-written with
Prior to Joplin's death, Ragovoy wrote a song especially for her next album, titled "I'm Gonna Rock My Way to Heaven". The song was never recorded or performed until shortly before Ragovoy's death in July 2011, when it was included in the theatrical production A Night with Janis Joplin, written and directed by Randy Johnson with arrangements and musical direction by Len Rhodes. Ragovoy was in attendance on opening night when the show premiered at Portland Center Stage on 27 May 2011.
Later career
Ragovoy also produced recorded work by Bonnie Raitt and Milkwood.[3] However, his involvement in the music industry was less prolific from the 1970s onwards.[3]
In 1968 Ragovoy created and was the original owner of the famous world class recording complex HIT FACTORY STUDIOS in Manhattan hosting numerous well known R&R artists.[7][8]
In 1973, he won a
In 1974, Ragovoy teamed up with Dionne Warwick to produce her Then Came You album,[10] which peaked at No. 35 in the US Billboard R&B albums chart.[11]
In 2003, Ragovoy worked again with Howard Tate. The pair returned with an acclaimed CD, Howard Tate Rediscovered, written, arranged and produced by Ragovoy.[12]
In 2008,
In 2012, Ragovoy was portrayed by actor Brad Garrett in the film Not Fade Away.[14]
Death
Ragovoy died, following a stroke, on July 13, 2011, at the age of 80.[2]
Notable compositions
References
- ^ "Jerry Ragovoy - AOL Music". 10 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2008-10-10. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ a b c Doc Rock. "2011 July To December". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Archived from the original on 2015-08-18. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
- ^ a b c d Unterberger, Richie. "Jerry Ragovoy - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
- ^ "Jerry Ragovoy obituary". The Guardian. 10 February 2019. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
Jerry Ragovoy, who has died aged 80 from complications following a stroke, was the songwriter behind some of the best-loved ballads of the 1960s, including Time Is On My Side, a hit for the Rolling Stones, and Piece of My Heart, which became Janis Joplin's signature song. Ragovoy specialised in creating three-minute songs of intense emotion, enhanced by complex orchestral arrangements and was one of several white American songwriters and producers who, in the 1960s, helped mould the new African-American sound of soul music.
- ^ Laing, Dave (20 July 2011). "Jerry Ragovoy obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 July 2011.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ Grimes, William (16 July 2011). "Jerry Ragovoy, Songwriter and Producer, Is Dead at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ Perpetua, Matthew (19 July 2011). "Soul Songwriter Jerry Ragovoy Dead at 80". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Jerry Ragovoy - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
- ^ Jason Elias. "Then Came You - Dionne Warwick | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
- ^ "Then Came You - Dionne Warwick | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
- ^ [2] [dead link]
- ^ Richie Unterberger (2008-04-29). "The Jerry Ragovoy Story: Time Is on My Side 1953-2003 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-06-21.
- ^ "NYFF 2012 Critic's Choice - "Something In The Air" and "Not Fade Away" - Independent Magazine". Independent Magazine. 2012-10-08. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
- ^ "Artist: Jerry Ragovoy". Second Hand Songs. Archived from the original on 2005-11-27. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
External links
- Discography of Loma Records Archived 2007-12-25 at the Wayback Machine
- Jerry Ragovoy discography at Discogs