Top Record Producer Richard Perry Passes Away at 82
The music industry has lost a true icon, as Richard Perry, one of the most renowned and stylish record producers from the 1970s and 1980s, passed away on Tuesday, December 24, at the age of 82 in a Los Angeles hospital. According to his friend, Daphna Kastner Keitel, the cause of his death was cardiac arrest. His legacy is marked by an incredible ability to shape the sound of popular music, leaving an enduring impact that will resonate for generations to come.
Among Perry’s extensive catalog of hits, two stand out prominently: Nilsson’s “Without You” and Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” both of which soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and garnered Grammy nominations for Record of the Year. These timeless classics exemplify Perry’s distinctive production style—characterized by its immaculate, powerful, and precise sound. Other notable hits that bear his unmistakable touch include Leo Sayer’s “When I Need You,” another chart-topping success, and Burton Cummings’ “Stand Tall,” which made a significant impact as a top 10 hit in 1977.
Throughout his illustrious career, Perry produced over 30 top 20 hits on the Hot 100. Noteworthy among these is Barbra Streisand’s vibrant rendition of Laura Nyro’s “Stoney End,” which marked the legendary artist’s foray into contemporary pop music. Perry’s impressive portfolio also includes a string of chart-topping hits for The Pointer Sisters, such as the energizing “I’m So Excited” and the infectious “Jump (for My Love).” His ability to create timeless music that resonates with audiences is truly unparalleled.
Perry’s remarkable contributions to the music industry did not go unnoticed; he was recognized as Billboard’s Top Singles producer in their year-end recaps on two occasions—1977 and 1984. Additionally, he received consecutive Grammy nominations for Producer of the Year in 1977 and 1978, solidifying his status as a leading figure in music production during this transformative era.
Over an impressive span of 42 years, Perry maintained a presence in the top 10 albums on the Billboard 200. His journey began in July 1968 with an unexpected hit, an album produced for pop-culture sensation Tiny Tim. The last project to secure a spot in the top 10 was Rod Stewart’s Fly Me to The Moon…The Great American Songbook, Vol. 5, released in November 2010, demonstrating Perry’s enduring influence in the music industry.
Perry achieved the remarkable feat of producing back-to-back No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 for two different artists: Ringo Starr with “Photograph” and “You’re Sixteen” in 1973-74, and Leo Sayer with “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing” and “When I Need You” in 1977. This accomplishment marked a historic moment, as it was the first and only time a former Beatle achieved back-to-back No. 1 singles on the Hot 100.
Despite never winning a competitive Grammy, Perry was honored with a Trustees Award from the Recording Academy in 2015. His other nominations included Album of the Year for Nilsson Schmilsson, which featured the iconic “Without You,” and best pop instrumental performance for an instrumental version of “Jump (For My Love).” Additionally, he was nominated for best music video, short form, for The Pointer Sisters’ So Excited compilation, where he also served as the video director.
Perry’s relationship with The Pointer Sisters showcased his unparalleled talent as a producer. When he signed them to his new Planet Records label in 1978, they were seen as a B-act with limited potential. However, under Perry’s expert guidance, they transformed into one of the most consistent acts in pop music, achieving five top five hits on the Hot 100. Their hits included a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire,” “He’s So Shy,” “Slow Hand,” “Automatic,” and “Jump (For My Love),” the latter of which famously soundtracked a memorable scene in the film Love Actually.
Although Perry was predominantly known as a pop producer, his musical influence extended across various genres. He produced Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson’s “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before,” which not only reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1984 but also won the Single of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Furthermore, he achieved notable success with No. 1 hits across the R&B and dance charts, showcasing his versatility and broad appeal in the music industry.
Born on June 18, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, Richard Van Perry grew up in a musical environment. His parents, Mack and Sylvia Perry, manufactured and sold musical instruments and served as music teachers. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1964 with a degree in music and theater, Perry founded his own independent record production company, Cloud Nine Productions, in June 1965. His journey in the music industry took a significant turn in March 1967 when he relocated to Los Angeles, where he co-produced Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band’s debut album, Safe as Milk, released in June 1967.
Perry’s first major assignment came when he was tasked with recording Tiny Tim, who had gained fame as a novelty sensation on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In. Tim’s debut album, God Bless Tiny Tim, soared to No. 7 on the Billboard 200, propelled by the hit remake of the 1920s novelty tune “Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips With Me,” which became a top 20 hit on the Hot 100.
Perry also collaborated with legendary artists such as Fats Domino on Fats Is Back and Ella Fitzgerald on Ella, both of which made significant strides on the Billboard 200. After leaving Warner Bros. in 1970, he quickly became one of the most sought-after producers in the pop music scene.
One of Perry’s initial successes as an independent producer was Streisand’s Stoney End, released in late 1970. This project marked a pivotal moment as the then-28-year-old superstar began singing contemporary songs intended for an audience closer to her own age. The album entered the top 10 on the Billboard 200 in March 1971, becoming Streisand’s first top 10 album in over four years. Perry continued to produce Streisand’s next two albums, Barbra Joan Streisand and Live Concert at the Forum, paving the way for her successful trajectory in the 1970s.
In 1978, Perry showcased his acting skills by playing a record producer in American Hot Wax, a film centered on DJ Alan Freed. Perry, who had been a regular at Freed’s live shows at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater since he was 12, reflected on a transformative period in his life through this role.
Perry produced DeBarge’s “Rhythm of the Night,” which became a top five hit in 1985 and marked the first top five hit penned by the prolific songwriter Diane Warren. While many of Perry’s successes stemmed from original compositions, he also produced numerous hit remakes, including Johnny Burnette’s “You’re Sixteen” for Ringo Starr, Inez Foxx’s “Mockingbird” for Carly Simon and James Taylor, The Platters’ “Only You” for Ringo Starr, and The Flamingos’ “I Only Have Eyes for You” for Art Garfunkel.
In 1988, Perry embarked on a passion project, Rock, Rhythm and Blues, featuring classic oldies from the 1950s, each interpreted by a different contemporary artist. Esteemed artists such as Elton John, Christine McVie, Chaka Khan, and Michael McDonald contributed to the album. One standout track, Randy Travis’ rendition of Brook Benton’s “It’s Just a Matter of Time,” not only topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart but also received a Grammy nomination for best country vocal performance, male.
In 1993, Perry produced Ray Charles’ My World, which made its mark on the Billboard 200. A notable track from the album, Leon Russell’s classic “A Song for You,” not only charted on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles but also earned a Grammy for best R&B vocal performance, male, highlighting Perry’s ability to elevate artists’ careers.
Perry reunited with Carly Simon in 2004 for the acclaimed standards collection Moonlight Serenade, which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 and received a Grammy nomination for best traditional pop vocal album. Perry’s collaborations with Simon were some of his most celebrated works. The iconic “You’re So Vain” remains one of the defining singles of the 1970s, while the No Secrets album, which dominated the Billboard 200 for five weeks in early 1973, features a lineup of unforgettable tracks. Among these, “Nobody Does It Better,” released in 1977, stands out as one of the most memorable and sultry James Bond themes ever written, thanks to the talents of songwriters Marvin Hamlisch and Carole Bayer Sager.
Perry’s final significant achievement on the Billboard charts came with Rod Stewart’s The Great American Songbook series. All five volumes, released between 2002 and 2010, reached the top five on the Billboard 200, each receiving Grammy nominations for best traditional pop vocal album. Perry’s production expertise was credited on four of the five volumes, showcasing his enduring influence and relevance in the ever-evolving music landscape.
In April 2020, Perry shared his remarkable journey through music with the publication of his memoir, Cloud Nine: Memoirs of a Record Producer, offering fans and aspiring producers an inside look at his life and the industry.
Richard Perry is survived by his younger brothers, Roger, Fred, and Andrew. His personal life included marriages to Linda Goldner and Rebecca Broussard, both of which ended in divorce. From 2009 to 2017, Perry was in a notable relationship with actress and activist Jane Fonda, further highlighting the multifaceted life of this extraordinary man.
