Anyone with even a vague interest in the history of American Black music will want to join me today in morning the passing of Richard Barrett, from prostate cancer, a couple of days ago. He had been ill for some time so his death was not a total surprise.
From the mid 50s onwards, Richard was instrumental in the discovery and development of so many major groups, from Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Little Anthony and the Imperials and the Chantels through to the likes of the Three Degrees. He also wrote and produced stacks of significant songs and records, and also sung quite a few classics along the way (let's hear it for "Some Other Guy", to name but one)...
If you know the name but don't necessarily know from where, check out your soul singles on Swan, there's a fair chance that Richard either wrote or produced the best ones.
He won't get the same level of tribute in the rock press as Arthur Lee will (and deserves to),. but I'm sure that other Sourcers besides myself will be sorry to have to chalk yet another one up for the Grim Reaper...
Anyone with even a vague interest in the history of American Black music will want to join me today in morning the passing of Richard Barrett, from prostate cancer, a couple of days ago. He had been ill for some time so his death was not a total surprise.
From the mid 50s onwards, Richard was instrumental in the discovery and development of so many major groups, from Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Little Anthony and the Imperials and the Chantels through to the likes of the Three Degrees. He also wrote and produced stacks of significant songs and records, and also sung quite a few classics along the way (let's hear it for "Some Other Guy", to name but one)...
If you know the name but don't necessarily know from where, check out your soul singles on Swan, there's a fair chance that Richard either wrote or produced the best ones.
He won't get the same level of tribute in the rock press as Arthur Lee will (and deserves to),. but I'm sure that other Sourcers besides myself will be sorry to have to chalk yet another one up for the Grim Reaper...
TONE