From “Walk on By” to “The Look of Love” to “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” to “The Blob,” Burt Bacharach composed indelible pop songs that became staples of the soundtrack of their eras.
The prolific tunesmith, who died Feb. 8 at age 94, grew to prominence early in his career by penning film scores and hits (with lyricist partner Hal David) for movies such as “Casino Royale,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “Alfie,” “What’s New Pussycat,” “After the Fox,” “Arthur” and “Night Shift.” And yes, Bacharach and lyricist Mack David (brother of Hal) wrote the late 1950s novelty hit “The Blob,” which stemmed from the 1958 horror comedy that helped propel Steve McQueen to stardom.
From the March 24, 1954, edition of weekly Variety
Bacharach’s first reference in Variety came in the March 24, 1954, edition of weekly, when he was name-checked as the musical director for the Ames Brothers, as part of a...
The prolific tunesmith, who died Feb. 8 at age 94, grew to prominence early in his career by penning film scores and hits (with lyricist partner Hal David) for movies such as “Casino Royale,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “Alfie,” “What’s New Pussycat,” “After the Fox,” “Arthur” and “Night Shift.” And yes, Bacharach and lyricist Mack David (brother of Hal) wrote the late 1950s novelty hit “The Blob,” which stemmed from the 1958 horror comedy that helped propel Steve McQueen to stardom.
From the March 24, 1954, edition of weekly Variety
Bacharach’s first reference in Variety came in the March 24, 1954, edition of weekly, when he was name-checked as the musical director for the Ames Brothers, as part of a...
- 2/11/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: PBS is to air documentary Sergio Mendes & Friends: A Celebration, about the acclaimed Brazilian musician.
The film will premiere as part of special programming on PBS stations in June 2021 and is derived from the feature documentary Sergio Mendes: In The Key Of Joy by filmmaker John Scheinfeld (The U.S. vs John Lennon).
The deal was negotiated by Wned PBS and the film’s distributor Brainstorm Media.
Mendes, who exploded onto the scene in the 1960s with his group, Brasil ’66, played a big role in popularizing Brazilian music around the world, and at the same time created his own genre by fusing Brazilian music with American pop. The three-time Grammy winner has made 35 albums, including Timeless, produced by will.i.am. Hit singles include “Mas Que Nada”, “The Look of Love”, “Scarborough Fair”, “Night and Day”, “Never Gonna Let You Go” and his famous rendition of “Fool on the...
The film will premiere as part of special programming on PBS stations in June 2021 and is derived from the feature documentary Sergio Mendes: In The Key Of Joy by filmmaker John Scheinfeld (The U.S. vs John Lennon).
The deal was negotiated by Wned PBS and the film’s distributor Brainstorm Media.
Mendes, who exploded onto the scene in the 1960s with his group, Brasil ’66, played a big role in popularizing Brazilian music around the world, and at the same time created his own genre by fusing Brazilian music with American pop. The three-time Grammy winner has made 35 albums, including Timeless, produced by will.i.am. Hit singles include “Mas Que Nada”, “The Look of Love”, “Scarborough Fair”, “Night and Day”, “Never Gonna Let You Go” and his famous rendition of “Fool on the...
- 4/29/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
On July 9th, 1963, Waylon Jennings was living and playing in Phoenix, Arizona, when he received a recording contract in the mail. His friend, songwriter and comedian Don Bowman, had taken Jennings’ demo recordings to Jerry Moss, who with trumpet-playing bandleader Herb Alpert, had started a small label called A&m Records in Los Angeles.
Four years earlier, Jennings was playing bass in rock & roll legend Buddy Holly’s band when he had given up his seat on a doomed flight to J.P. Richardson, a.k.a. the Big Bopper. Holly,...
Four years earlier, Jennings was playing bass in rock & roll legend Buddy Holly’s band when he had given up his seat on a doomed flight to J.P. Richardson, a.k.a. the Big Bopper. Holly,...
- 7/9/2019
- by Stephen L. Betts
- Rollingstone.com
On first glance, Clarence Avant’s career highlights seem impressive, if somewhat modest for a man widely known as “the godfather of black music.” Starting as a manager to pianist-composer Lalo Schifrin, he went on to found two important if short-lived independent record labels, serve as a sporadic concert organizer and special events producer, fund-raise for Democratic politicians, and count himself as a mentor to a host of African American execs. But the 88-year-old’s impact on half a century of black music – and black enterprise in general – runs far, far deeper than that, and Reginald Hudlin’s affectionate Netflix bio-doc “The Black Godfather” does yeoman’s work introducing a figure that few outsiders have likely heard of, but who needs no introduction in the power corridors of the entertainment industry.
Perhaps the most obvious sign of Avant’s importance can be found in a brief look through the figures...
Perhaps the most obvious sign of Avant’s importance can be found in a brief look through the figures...
- 6/4/2019
- by Andrew Barker
- Variety Film + TV
Congratulations, Mr. Carter!
On Tuesday, the Recording Academy announced that Jay-Z will be bestowed with the Salute to Industry Icons Award at the 2018 Grammy Awards.
"We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to honor Jay-Z with this year's Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award. His contributions as an industry trailblazer and music visionary only begin to touch on the tremendous impact he's made both in entertainment and beyond," Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said of the 21-time Grammy winner. "Jay-Z also embodies the vibrant spirit of New York City and we couldn't imagine a more fitting honoree as we return to Manhattan for this year's Grammy Awards."
More: Beyonce and Jay-Z Channel Hip-Hop Couple Notorious Big and Lil' Kim for Halloween
With the honor, Jay-Z joins the ranks of past winners: Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, Irving Azoff, Martin Bandier, Richard Branson, Clive Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Lucian Grainge, Debra L. Lee, Doug Morris...
On Tuesday, the Recording Academy announced that Jay-Z will be bestowed with the Salute to Industry Icons Award at the 2018 Grammy Awards.
"We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to honor Jay-Z with this year's Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award. His contributions as an industry trailblazer and music visionary only begin to touch on the tremendous impact he's made both in entertainment and beyond," Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said of the 21-time Grammy winner. "Jay-Z also embodies the vibrant spirit of New York City and we couldn't imagine a more fitting honoree as we return to Manhattan for this year's Grammy Awards."
More: Beyonce and Jay-Z Channel Hip-Hop Couple Notorious Big and Lil' Kim for Halloween
With the honor, Jay-Z joins the ranks of past winners: Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, Irving Azoff, Martin Bandier, Richard Branson, Clive Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Lucian Grainge, Debra L. Lee, Doug Morris...
- 10/31/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Clive Davis and the Recording Academy’s annual pre-Grammy gala will honor longtime entertainment industry executive Irving Azoff on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016, the night before the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. The Recording Academy will present Azoff with the President’s Merit Award as part of its 2016 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons. The annual invitation-only fundraising event has in the past has honored David Geffen, Richard Branson, Berry Gordy, Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, Richard Branson, Clive Davis and Ahmet Ertegun. For the past eight years, the Recording Academy has collaborated on the event with veteran recording executive Clive Davis, who was.
- 11/9/2015
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Clive Davis and the Recording Academy on Tuesday announced that exiting X Factor judge and Epic Records chairman L.A. Reid will be honored at next year's annual pre-Grammy gala. Reid will be presented with the President's Merit Award in recognition of his "significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have had on music and the business of music," a release stated. Previous recipients have included Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, Sir Richard Branson, Clive Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Doug Morris and Mo Ostin. Photos: La Reid's Closet: 50 Watches, 10
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- 12/18/2012
- by Sophie A. Schillaci
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Clive Davis and The Recording Academy® will present the annual Pre-grammy® Gala on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., the evening before the 55th Annual Grammy Awards® ( www.grammy.com ). Sponsored by Harman, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Hyundai, and MasterCard Worldwide, this exclusive, star-studded celebration will feature special musical performances and will be attended by the world’s most renowned artists and top industry VIPs in music, film, television and new media. For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys , www.facebook.com/thegrammys . As part of the evening’s celebration, the 2013 Grammy Salute To Industry Icons® will honor Epic Records’ Chairman and CEO Antonio “L.A.” Reid. The Recording Academy will present Reid with the President’s Merit Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his...
- 12/18/2012
- by jtblog@hollywoodnews.com (John Toob)
- Hollywoodnews.com
Gil Friesen, the first employee at Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss’ legendary A&M Records, who later executive produced movies including The Breakfast Club, has died. He was 75. Friesen, who also co-founded the Classic Sports Cable Network, which was sold to Espn in 1997, died Thursday afternoon at his home in Brentwood after a long battle with leukemia, said his wife, Janet. Photos: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2012 “At 5:53 p.m. Pst, Gil moved gently and peacefully into the next world,” she said in a note. “We brought him home early in the afternoon, and he rested
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- 12/14/2012
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Gil Friesen, one of the few Hollywood executives to wear two hats as president of A&M Records as well as A&M Films (making The Breakfast Club among a dozen films), died today at his Brentwood home. His friends told Deadline his death followed a prolonged battle with leukemia. He was 75. Friesen was best known as a legendary record executive at the privately owned label modestly founded by Jerry Moss and Herb Alpert in the Tijuana Brass trumpet player’s garage in 1962. Cool and popular, Friesen climbed the Hollywood career ladder as one of those golden boys who could do no wrong in showbiz. Beginning his career at Capitol Records, Friesen became A&M’s first general manager. It was Friesen who helped turn Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass into a successful touring attraction and developed artists from Cat Stevens, Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge and The Carpenters to Janet Jackson,...
- 12/14/2012
- by NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief
- Deadline Hollywood
Gil Friesen, one of the few Hollywood executives to wear two hats as president of A&M Records as well as A&M Films (making The Breakfast Club among a dozen films), died today at his Brentwood home. His friends told Deadline his death followed a prolonged battle with leukemia. He was 75. Friesen was best known as a legendary record executive at the privately owned label modestly founded by Jerry Moss and Herb Alpert in the Tijuana Brass trumpet player’s garage in 1962. Cool and popular, Friesen climbed the Hollywood career ladder as one of those golden boys who could do no wrong in showbiz. Beginning his career at Capitol Records, Friesen became A&M’s first general manager. It was Friesen who helped turn Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass into a successful touring attraction and developed artists from Cat Stevens, Joe Cocker, Rita Coolidge and The Carpenters to Janet Jackson,...
- 12/14/2012
- by NIKKI FINKE, Editor in Chief
- Deadline TV
Record mogul David Geffen will be honored with the President's Merit Award from the recording academy for his contributions to the industry over the decades. He joins an illustrious lineup of past honorees who are responsible for much of modern music -- Herb Alpert, Ahmet Ertegun, Berry Gordy, Mo Ostin, Doug Morris and Jerry Moss. Leading the salute to Geffen will be another recipient of this top honorary award, Sony Music exec Clive Davis. The presentation will be made during the "Salute to Industry Icons" event co-hosted by Davis and Naras, on Feb. 12 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. In making the announcement, Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the academy said, "This year, we are especially pleased and proud to honor David Geffen, a unique and pioneering entrepreneur in music, stage and film who has had a profound impact on our culture, on the entertainment industry, and whose notable philanthropy has...
- 1/12/2011
- Gold Derby
Zenyatta is about to show Secretariat you can leave your mark on history without being so serious. Whether it's her hysterical pre-race dances or the fact she loves to wash down her favorite snack of carrots with a cold Guinness beer, Zenyatta has amassed an immense and diverse following ready to tune in Saturday - as the undefeated (19-0) mare hopes to capture the Breeders' Cup Classic in Kentucky. Her statistics are mind-blowing, but here are a few facts that separate her from past legends.• Jerry Moss and his wife, Ann, purchased Zenyatta for only $60,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling...
- 11/5/2010
- by Joe Barracato
- PEOPLE.com
Herb Alpert is, simply put, a music legend. He got his start writing hits like Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World" before founding A & M Records with Jerry Moss in the early '60s. By the time they sold it a quarter-century later, it was one of the most successful record labels in the world. As a producer, trumpeter and occasional singer, he had a phenomenal string of hit singles and albums with the Tijuana Brass in the 1960s -- in 1966 Alpert and the Tjb outsold the Beatles in the U.S. -- and continued recording regularly into the '90s. Lani Hall is a star in her own right, having sung on smashes for Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 like "Mais Que Nada," "The Fool On The Hill" and "Scarborough Fair." She married Herb Alpert in 1974 and embarked...
- 10/6/2009
- by Tony Sachs
- Huffington Post
On April 23rd, 2009, literally 24 hours after its release, Carpenters (no "the") had their highest charting record of their careers in Japan. In that territory, 40/40 The Best Selection was released the day before to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Carpenters' signing with Herb Alpert's and Jerry Moss' independent label, A&M Records. The string of this brother and sister act's now classic hits--including "(They Long To Be) Close To You," "We've Only Just Begun," "For All We Know," "Rainy Days And Mondays," "Superstar," "Hurting Each Other," "It's Going To Take Some Time," "Goodbye To Love," "Sing," "Yesterday Once More," "Top Of The World," "I Won't Last A Day Without You," "Only Yesterday," and "Solitaire"--set a new standard of elegance and sophistication for a new "Adult Contemporary" sound (also branded by the oxymoron "soft rock"), and it was integral...
- 5/12/2009
- by Mike Ragogna
- Huffington Post
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