Robert Blackwell
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Robert Blackwell | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Robert Alexander Blackwell |
Also known as | Bumps Blackwell |
Born | Seattle, Washington, U.S. | May 23, 1918
Died | March 9, 1985 Hacienda Heights, California, U.S. | (aged 66)
Genres |
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Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 1940s–1980s |
Robert Alexander "Bumps" Blackwell (May 23, 1918 – March 9, 1985) was an American bandleader, songwriter, arranger, and record producer,[1] best known for his work overseeing the early hits of Little Richard, as well as grooming Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, Lloyd Price, Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert, Larry Williams, and Sly and the Family Stone at the start of their music careers.[2][3]
Biography
Born in Seattle, Washington,[1] Blackwell led a jazz group in the late 1940s that included pianist Ray Charles and trumpeter Quincy Jones.[4][5][6] He moved to Hollywood, California, to continue studying composition, but he instead took a job at Art Rupe's Specialty Records as an arranger and producer.[1] He worked with Sam Cooke, Larry Williams, Lloyd Price and Guitar Slim, as well as producing Little Richard during his rise to stardom in 1955 and 1956.[1]
In addition to producing Little Richard's breakthrough hit "
He also produced
In 1981, Blackwell produced some songs for Bob Dylan's album Shot of Love, including the title track.[1]
In 1985, he issued a 12-inch single called "Give it Up - Pay Little Richard", following Richard's latest comeback the year before .
Blackwell died at his home in Hacienda Heights, California, in 1985 of pneumonia.[1][8]
Selective discography
As co-writer and producer
- 1956: "UKNo. 3
- 1956: "Ready Teddy" (Blackwell/Marascalco) - Little Richard, US Pop No. 44
- 1956: "Rip It Up" (Blackwell/Marascalco) - Little Richard, US Pop No. 17, UK No. 30
- 1958: "Good Golly Miss Molly" (Blackwell/Marascalco) - Little Richard, US Pop No. 10, UK No. 8
As producer
- 1957: "You Send Me" (Sam Cooke), US Pop No. 1, UK No. 29
- 1964: "Ooh Poop A Doo" / "Merry Christmas Baby" (Warner Bros.) - Ike & Tina Turner
- 1964: Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show, US Pop No. 126, US R&B No. 8
- 1967: The Ike & Tina Turner Show – Vol. 2
- 1981: Shot of Love (Bob Dylan)
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ISBN 978-0711997615
- ISBN 978-0711997615
- ^ "Quincy Jones Interview #1". American Masters. June 8, 2001. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "Quincy Jones Interview #2". American Masters. July 24, 2001. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ "Quincy Jones Biography -- Academy of Achievement". Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
- ^ "News". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 28, 2007. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
- ^ "B: Rock Star's Digest | Database: Birth, death, cause of death, trivia, links". Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
External links
- Robert Blackwell at IMDb
- Bumps Blackwell interviewed on the Pop Chronicles, recorded March 4, 1968.
- "A-D — University of North Texas Libraries". Library.unt.edu. July 24, 2008. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2010.