Rupert Holmes
Rupert Holmes | |
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show tunes | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) |
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Years active | 1969–present |
Labels | |
Spouse(s) |
Liza Dreifuss (m. 1969) |
Website | rupertholmes |
Rupert Holmes (born David Goldstein; February 24, 1947), is a British-American composer, singer-songwriter, dramatist and author. He is widely known for the hit singles "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" (1979) and "Him" (1980). He is also known for his musicals The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which earned him two Tony Awards, and Curtains, and for his television series Remember WENN.
Life and career
Holmes was born David Goldstein in
In 1969, Holmes married childhood friend Elizabeth "Liza" Wood Dreifuss, an attorney. Their daughter Wendy died suddenly in 1986, at the age of ten, of an undiagnosed
Songwriter and recording artist
In his 20s, Holmes was a session musician (producing sessions, writing and arranging songs, singing and playing a few instruments). In 1969, Holmes and Ron Dante of the Cuff Links and the Archies) recorded "Jennifer Tomkins" for release on their second album, The Cuff Links. During the recording of that album, Dante was prohibited by the studio that produced the Archies from any involvement in new recording ventures and was forced to drop out of the Cuff Links. Holmes finished the project and released "Jennifer Tomkins" separately under a different studio name, Street People (not related to the mid-1970s band of the same name).[5] The song was on the Billboard Hot 100 for 15 weeks, beginning January 3, 1970, reaching a peak of number 36. In Canada the song reached number 21.[6] A follow-up single called "Thank You Girl" reached number 96 on the Billboard pop charts in April 1970.
Holmes played the piano for both the Cuff Links and the Buoys,[7] with whom he had his first international hit, "Timothy", which was on the Hot 100 for 17 weeks beginning on January 2, 1971, a number 17 song about human cannibalism that intentionally drew controversy.[8] He also wrote "Give Up Your Guns" (which peaked at number 84), "The Prince of Thieves", "Blood Knot", and "Tomorrow" for the band. Holmes also wrote jingles and pop tunes (including for Gene Pitney, the Platters, the Drifters, Wayne Newton, Dolly Parton, Barry Manilow and television's the Partridge Family),[7][9] as well as the score of the 1970 revenge western Five Savage Men (also known as The Animals), which starred Keenan Wynn.[10]
As a recording artist, Holmes broke through with his first album, 1974's
Holmes's production skills were also in demand during this period, and he took on this role for Lynsey de Paul's album Tigers and Fireflies, which spawned the radio hit "Hollywood Romance". The album also featured the bluesy song "'Twas", co-written by Holmes and de Paul. He additionally produced Sparks' 1976 LP, Big Beat, though the album was not a success. In 1975, together with Jeffrey Lesser, Holmes produced the UK band Sailor's album Trouble (CBS Epic).[13][14]
"
In the 1980s and 1990s, Holmes also played in cabarets and comedy clubs, mostly in New York City, telling often autobiographical anecdotes illustrated with his songs.[15] In 2021, Holmes received an honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music.[16]
Playwright
Holmes made his professional debut as a playwright with the
Holmes also wrote the Tony Award-nominated ("Best Play 2003")
Holmes wrote the book of the musical
Holmes adapted the
Television writer and novelist
In 1996, Holmes created the television series
Discography
Albums
This discography does not include others' collections or albums released without Holmes's participation.
Widescreen
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Rupert Holmes
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Singles
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Pursuit of Happiness
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Partners in Crime
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Adventure
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Full Circle
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Scenario
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Epoch Collection
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Widescreen (reissue)
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The Best of Rupert Holmes
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Rupert Holmes / Greatest Hits
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Widescreen – The Collector's Edition
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Best 1200
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Cast of Characters – The Rupert Holmes Songbook
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The Mystery of Edwin Drood – original Broadway cast recording
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Holmes also wrote and co-produced, and was a keyboardist on, the songs on the
Singles
Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||||
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US Hot 100 | US AC | AUS[37] | CAN | NED | NZ
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UK[38] | ||||
1974 | "Talk" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Widescreen | |
"Terminal" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Our National Pastime" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1975 | "I Don't Want to Hold Your Hand" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rupert Holmes | |
"Deco Lady" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1976 | "Weekend Lover" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Singles | |
"Who, What, When, Where, Why" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
1978 | "Bedside Companions" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Pursuit of Happiness | |
"Let's Get Crazy Tonight" | 72 | — | — | 59 | — | — | — | |||
1979 | "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" | 1 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 23 | Partners in Crime | |
1980 | "Him" | 6 | 4 | 42 | 14 | 18 | 8 | 31 | ||
"Answering Machine" | 32 | 12 | — | 85 | — | — | — | |||
"Morning Man" | 68 | 21 | 94 | — | — | — | — | Adventure | ||
1981 | "Blackjack" | 103 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
"I Don't Need You" | 56 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | |||
"Loved by the One You Love" | 103 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | Full Circle | ||
1982 | "The End" | — | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1983 | "At Our House" (released as the B-side to "Lake Freeze" by Rita Coolidge) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Lake Freeze: The Raccoons Songtrack | |
"–" denotes releases that did not chart |
Other works
Theatre
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Film and television
Books
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Notes
- ^ "Rupert Holmes Biography (1947–)", FilmReference.com, accessed June 7, 2013
- ^ "Richard Holmes: Baritone", OperaMusica.com; and Heath, Mary Jo. " Backstage Spotlight: Richard Holmes", MetOpera.org, November 1, 2016
- ^ "You Got It All by The Jets". Songfacts. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
- ^ Yarnell, Laurie. "The Man Who Wrote 'The Piña Colada Song' Lives Locally in Cold Spring", Hudson Valley, July 12, 2019
- ^ Jennifer Tomkins", The Street People, video.aol.com
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles" (PDF). RPM. February 21, 1970.
- ^ a b c Summers, Kim. Rupert Holmes: Biography. AllMusic, accessed April 6, 2011
- ^ Timothy at Songfacts, accessed January 12, 2009
- ^ Minnick, Susan L. Rupert Homes biography at the IMDB website
- ^ Five Savage Men, RupertHolmes.com, accessed May 16, 2015
- ^ Feature on Curtains at the Total Theatre website
- ^ "Rupert Holmes". Rolling Stone. No. 191. July 17, 1975. p. 60.
- ^ McCarraher, James. A Glass of Champagne, The Official Sailor Story, Sarum Press (2004)
- ^ Trouble, Sailor Club, accessed December 29, 2012
- ^ Holden, Stephen. "Review/Cabaret; Rupert Holmes Onstage", The New York Times, August 3, 1990, p. 17
- ^ "Manhattan School of Music Ninety-Fourth and Ninety-Fifth Commencement Ceremony". Issuu. May 20, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ Gioia, Michael. "Joel Rooks Will Say Goodnight Gracie at Off-Broadway's St. Luke's", Playbill.com, September 14, 2011
- ^ Gussow, Mel. "The Manipulations of a Villain Trapped In His Own Devices", The New York Times, November 9, 1992
- ^ Review of the Boston production of Marty, Playbill (2003)
- ^ "Swinging Summer", The Village Voice, September 3, 2002
- ^ "In Swango, This Time Opposites Don't Attract", The New York Times, June 15, 2003; and Parks, Steve. "In lively competition, swing vs. tango rocks", Newsday, May 13, 2005
- ^ a b c "SWANGO to Play Schimmel Center, 10/15–17", BroadwayWorld.com, September 10, 2015
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Musical First Wives Club Will Now Convene July 17 Toward July 31 Opening". Playbill.com, June 1, 2009
- ^ Hebert, James. "Globe to be first to stage musical First Wives Club". The San Diego Union-Tribune, September 5, 2008
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "Ziemba, Lenox and Walsh to Star in Old Globe's First Wives Club". Playbill.com, May 15, 2009; and "Tell Us, Miss Jones: Sheryl Lee Ralph Will Be Part of First Wives Club" Archived June 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill.com, June 16, 2009
- ^ "Critics have issues with First Wives". Variety, August 3, 2009
- ^ Jones, Chris. "Not so sweet revenge in pre-Broadway First Wives Club", Chicago Tribune, March 12, 2015
- ^ Stevens, Rob. '"Review: Robin and the 7 Hoods". TheaterMania, August 2, 2010
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Playbill.com's Brief Encounter with Rupert Holmes". Playbill.com, August 16, 2010
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. "A Time to Kill, with Sebastian Arcelus, Dion Graham, Erin Davie, Begins World Premiere in DC" Archived May 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill.com, May 6, 2011
- ^ Ponick, Terry. "A Time to Kill", DCTheatreScene, May 26, 2011
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. "Producers of Nutty Professor Hope to Earn Broadway Tenure for New Marvin Hamlisch-Rupert Holmes Show" Archived August 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Playbill, August 17, 2012, accessed August 19, 2013
- ^ Ng, David (August 2, 2012). "Jerry Lewis' 'Nutty Professor' musical opens in Nashville". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles. "Grisham's Tale Retold Onstage", The New York Times, October 20, 2013, updated November 17, 2013, accessed April 22, 2017
- ^ Cullum, Brett. "BWW Review: The Sweet Potato Queens at TUTS Underground", BroadwayWorld.com, March 21, 2016
- ISBN 1451648219
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "British certifications – Rupert Holmes". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 3, 2022. Type Rupert Holmes in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
References
- Gordon, Meryl. "Escape From Piña Coladaville", New York Magazine interview (August 11, 2003), pp. 42–45, 88
- Gilbert Gottfried Amazing Colossal Podcast, interview (2017)
External links
- Official website
- Rupert Holmes at IMDb
- Rupert Holmes discography at Discogs
- Rupert Holmes at the Internet Broadway Database