Eleanor Louise Greenwich, known as Ellie Greenwich (born October 23, 1940, Brooklyn, New York), is an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer, who wrote some of the most recognizable songs of the 1960s. Events 4004 BC - Creation of the world begins according to the calculations of Archbishop James Ussher 42 BC - Year 1940 ( MCMXL) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Brooklyn (named after the Dutch town Breukelen) is one of the five boroughs of New York City. The City of New York The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Popular music is Music belonging to any of a number of musical styles that are accessible to the general public and are disseminated by one or more A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both In the Music industry, a record producer or music producer has many roles among them controlling the recording sessions coaching and guiding the musicians organizing
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Childhood in New York City
Greenwich was born to a Catholic father and a Jewish mother. Catholic is an Adjective derived from the Greek adjective '' / 'katholikos' meaning "whole" or "complete". PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ At 11 she moved with her parents and younger sister to Levittown, Long Island, and time began taking lessons on the accordion. Levittown, a Suburb of New York City is a hamlet in the Town of Hempstead located on Long Island in Nassau County New York. Long Island is an island located in southeastern New York, USA, its western shores directly across from Manhattan, from which the island stretches The accordion is a portable box-shaped Musical instrument of the hand-held Bellows -driven free-reed aerophone family sometimes referred to as a Squeezebox By her teens, she was composing her songs; eventually she taught herself to compose on the piano rather than the accordion. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers In high school, Greenwich and two friends formed a singing group, The Jivettes, which took on more members and performed at local functions.
At 17, around the time she began attending Queens College, Greenwich recorded her first single for RCA Records, the self-written "Silly Isn't It" b/w "Cha-Cha Charming. Queens College, located in Flushing, Queens, New York City, is one of the senior Colleges of the City University of New York. RCA Corporation, founded as Radio Corporation of America, was an electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986 " The single was issued under the name "Ellie Gaye" (which she chose as a reference to singer Barbie Gaye). [1] The record was released in 1958 and indirectly led to her decision to transfer from Queens College to Hofstra University after one of her professors at the former institution belittled her for recording pop music. Hofstra University is a private Nonsectarian, Coeducational institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead and the hamlet of Uniondale
Partnership with Jeff Barry
In 1959, still at college, Greenwich met the man who would become her husband and main songwriting partner. Although it is possible they had been acquainted as children, since they shared a relative, the first time Greenwich and Jeff Barry met formally as adults was at a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by her maternal uncle, who was married to Barry's cousin. Jeff Barry (born April 3, 1938) is an American pop music Songwriter, Singer, and Record producer. Greenwich had brought her accordion, and she and Barry recognized their mutual attraction — to music. Romance was not yet in the air as Barry was married to his first wife, who was at the dinner. Yet within a couple of years, the husband-and-wife songwriting team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich would be among the most successful and prolific of Brill Building composers. The Brill Building (built 1931 is an office building located at 1619 Broadway in New York City, just north of Times Square.
Greenwich and Barry began dating after his marriage was annulled, but musically they continued separate careers. Still in college, in 1962, Greenwich got her first break in the business when she traveled to the Brill Building to meet John Gluck, Jr. , one of the composers of the Lesley Gore hit "It's My Party. Lesley Gore (born May 2, 1946 as Lesley Sue Goldstein) is an American Singer-songwriter of the " Girl group era" " Needing to keep another appointment, Gluck installed Greenwich in an office and asked her to wait. The office turned out to be that of songwriter-producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (born April 25, 1933) and Mike Stoller (born March 13, 1933) are among the most influential Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (born April 25, 1933) and Mike Stoller (born March 13, 1933) are among the most influential Hearing piano music from the cubicle, Leiber poked his head in and, expecting Carole King, was startled to see Greenwich, who introduced herself and explained her reasons for being there. Carole King (born February 9, 1942) is an American Singer, Songwriter, and Pianist. Recognizing her potential as a songwriter, Leiber and Stoller agreed to allow her to use their facilities as she wished in exchange for first refusal on songs she wrote. They eventually signed Greenwich to their publishing company, Trio Music, as a staff songwriter.
Before marrying Barry, Greenwich wrote songs with different partners, including Ben Raleigh (co-writer on Barry's first hit as a composer, "Tell Laura I Love Her," in 1960) and Mark Barkan. " Tell Laura I Love Her," a Teenage tragedy song written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh, was an American Top Ten Popular She was also a session singer, recording so many demos that she became known as New York's Demo Queen. A demo version or demo of a song (shortened from the word "demonstration" is one recorded for reference rather than for release Her biggest hits during this period were written with Tony Powers. The Greenwich-Powers team made the charts with tunes such as "He's Got The Power" (The Exciters), "(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry" (Darlene Love), and "Why Do Lovers Break Each Others' Hearts?" (Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, with Love on lead vocal). The Exciters were an American Pop music group of the 1960s They were originally a Girl group, although a male member (Herb Rooney was added later Darlene Love ( née Wright; born July 26, 1941) is an American Popular music Singer. Bob B Soxx & the Blue Jeans was an early 1960s vocal group produced by Phil Spector, and was initially conceived as a vehicle for the lead These last two were co-written and produced by Phil Spector, who had been introduced to the songs, and Greenwich, by publisher Aaron Schroeder. Harvey Philip Spector (born December 26 1940) is an American Record producer and Songwriter.
In October 1962, Barry and Greenwich married, and shortly afterwards decided to write songs exclusively with each other — a decision that disappointed Tony Powers as well as Barry's main writing partner, Artie Resnick. Barry was subsequently signed to Trio Music, and he and Greenwich were given their own office with their names on the door. Before the end of 1963, Barry-Greenwich had scored hits with songs such as "Be My Baby" and "Baby, I Love You" (The Ronettes), "(And) Then He Kissed Me" and "Da Doo Ron Ron" (The Crystals), "Not Too Young To Get Married" (Bob B. "Baby I Love You" is a pop song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, originally recorded in 1964 by The The Ronettes were a Girl group of the 1960s from New York City, best known for their work with producer Phil Spector. " Then He Kissed Me " is a song written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. " Da Doo Ron Ron " was a 1963 hit single by The Crystals produced by Phil Spector in his Wall of Sound style The Crystals, a singing group from the New York City area were one of the most successful girl groups of the early 1960s best remembered for the hit singles " He's A Rebel Soxx and the Blue Jeans), and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love, all co-written and produced by Phil Spector. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" is a song by Darlene Love from the 1963 Christmas Compilation album, A Christmas Gift for You from Greenwich and Barry also recorded singles and an album under the name The Raindrops, with Greenwich providing all the female vocals through overdubbing, and Barry singing backgrounds in a bass voice. The Raindrops were an American pop group from New York City, associated with the Brill Building style of 1960s pop Overdubbing (the process of making an overdub, or overdubs is a technique used by Recording studios to add a supplementary recorded sound to a previously recorded
In addition to "What A Guy" (actually a demo, with Greenwich on piano and Barry on drums, sold to Jubilee Records and released as the first Raindrops single) and the U. S. Top Twenty hit "The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget," the couple wrote and recorded "Hanky Panky," which became a hit for Tommy James & the Shondells, and, the following year, "Do Wah Diddy Diddy," taken to the #1 by Manfred Mann. Tommy James and the Shondells was a 1960s American Rock and roll group. " Do Wah Diddy Diddy " is a song notably performed by 1960s British R&B, Beat and Pop band Manfred Mann. This article is about Manfred Mann the band For Manfred Mann the man see Manfred Mann (musician. Toward the end of 1963, the Raindrops recorded "That Boy John," a tuneful and catchy fusion of jazz and rhythm and blues, which reached the middle of the charts — President John F. Kennedy had just been assassinated and, according to Barry and Greenwich, radio stations were loathe to play the song. John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29 1917&ndashNovember 22 1963 often referred to by his initials JFK, was the thirty-fifth President of Barry and Greenwich also penned songs for Connie Francis and Lesley Gore. Connie Francis (born December 12, 1938 in Newark New Jersey) is an American Pop singer best known for international hit songs Lesley Gore (born May 2, 1946 as Lesley Sue Goldstein) is an American Singer-songwriter of the " Girl group era"
Red Bird Records was founded in 1964 by Leiber and Stoller, who brought Barry and Greenwich as songwriters and producers. Red Bird Records was a Record label started The label's first release was The Dixie Cups' "Chapel of Love" (written with Phil Spector and originally recorded by The Ronettes), which sailed up the U. The Dixie Cups are an American Pop music Girl group of the 1960s " Chapel of Love " is a Song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector, and made famous by The Dixie S. charts to #1. Barry and Greenwich wrote and/or produced hits for Red Bird including several other releases by The Dixie Cups as well as The Ad-Libs ("He Ain't No Angel"), The Jelly Beans ("I Wanna Love Him So Bad"), and The Shangri-Las ("Leader of the Pack," written with George "Shadow" Morton). The Shangri-Las were a Girl group, an American pop group of the 1960s George 'Shadow' Morton (b 3 September 1944 Richmond Virginia) is an American Record producer and songwriter best known for his influential work in the Also with Shadow Morton, Barry and Greenwich penned "You Don't Know," which Greenwich recorded on Red Bird under her own name in 1965, at the same time Barry recorded and released another Barry/Greenwich tune, "Our Love Can Still Be Saved. "
However, the couple's marriage could not be saved; before the end of the year, Barry and Greenwich divorced. The couple continued to work together for much of 1966, partly due to Greenwich's discovery of a talented singer-songwriter named Neil Diamond. Singer-songwriter is a term that refers to Performers who write, compose and sing their own material including Lyrics Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American Singer-songwriter and occasional Actor. Barry, Greenwich and Diamond joined to form Tallyrand Music to publish Diamond's songs. Diamond was subsequently signed to Bert Berns's label, Bang Records, and had hits such as "Cherry Cherry" and "Kentucky Woman," all produced by Barry and Greenwich who also sang backgrounds on many tracks. Bertrand Russell Berns ( November 8, 1929 - December 30, 1967) (a/k/a Bert Russell and Bert Berns and Russell Bang Records was created by Bert Berns in 1965 together with his partners from Atlantic Records: Ahmet Ertegün, Nesuhi Ertegün and " Kentucky Woman " is a 1967 song written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond. In addition, Barry and Greenwich teamed with Phil Spector one last time to pen "I Can Hear Music," recorded by The Ronettes and by The Beach Boys, and "River Deep, Mountain High," which Spector produced for Ike and Tina Turner. " I Can Hear Music " is a song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector and originally performed by the Ronettes ( The Beach Boys is an American rock band Formed in 1961 the group gained popularity for its close vocal harmonies and lyrics reflecting a California Youth culture " River Deep - Mountain High " is a 1966 single by Ike & Tina Turner. Ike & Tina Turner were an American Rock & roll and soul duo made of the husband-and-wife team of Ike Turner and Tina Turner A few years later, in 1971, The Supremes and The Four Tops had a hit with their revival of "River Deep. The Supremes were an American female singing group that first formed as a quartet called The Primettes The Four Tops are an American vocal Quartet, whose repertoire has included Doo-wop, Jazz, Soul music, R&B, Disco "
Pineywood Productions with Mike Rashkow
During 1967, Greenwich formed Pineywood Music with Mike Rashkow, and over the next few years the Greenwich-Rashkow team wrote and/or produced recordings for Greenwich herself as well as for Dusty Springfield, The Definitive Rock Chorale, The Other Voices, The Fuzzy Bunnies, and The Hardy Boys. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. Michael Rashkow was an American Songwriter and Record producer. Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien OBE ( 16 April, 1939 &ndash 2 March, 1999) professionally known as Dusty Springfield Paul Levinson (born 1947 is an American Author and Professor of Communications and Media studies at Fordham University The Hardy Boys is a Juvenile detective/adventure series chronicling the Fictional adventures of Teenage brothers Frank and Also in 1967, Greenwich recorded her first solo album, Ellie Greenwich Composes, Produces and Sings, released in 1968, which produced two chart hits, "Niki Hoeky" (#1 in Japan) and "I Want You To Be My Baby. " In addition, Greenwich continued to provide background vocals for a diversity of artists such as Dusty Springfield, Bobby Darin, Lou Christie and Frank Sinatra. Mary Isabel Catherine Bernadette O'Brien OBE ( 16 April, 1939 &ndash 2 March, 1999) professionally known as Dusty Springfield Bobby Darin (born Walden Robert "Bobby" Cassotto, May 14 1936 &ndash December 20, 1973) was one of the most popular Lou Christie is an American Singer-songwriter best known for three separate strings of pop hits in the 1960s with notable peaks in 1963 1966 and Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra (December 12 1915 &ndash May 14 1998 was an American singer and actor She did studio work for her ex-husband as well, singing backgrounds for Andy Kim, who was recording for Barry's Steed Records, and The Archies. Andy Kim (born Andrew Youakim, 5 December 1952) is a Canadian Pop singer and Songwriter. Steed Records was a Record label founded by Songwriter - Record producer Jeff Barry in 1967 in New York City. For the self-titled syndicated version of the 1968-1978 animated television franchise of which The Archies were a part please see The Archie Show. At one such recording session, Greenwich met Steve Tudanger, with whom she and another Steve, Steve Feldman, would later form the company Jingle Habitat to write and produce jingles for radio and television. A jingle is a memorable Slogan, set to an engaging Melody, mainly broadcast on Radio and sometimes on Television commercials. The Steves also co-produced Greenwich's second LP, Let It Be Written, Let It Be Sung, in 1973. Her song "Sunshine After The Rain" was an enormous hit in the UK for singer Elkie Brooks. Elkie Brooks (born Elaine Bookbinder 25 February 1945 in Broughton, Salford) is an English singer formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later
After her partnership with Rashkow ended in 1971, Greenwich went on to collaborate with other writers such as Ellen Foley and another Jeff, Jeff Kent; the Greenwich-Kent-Foley team penned "Keep It Confidential," a hit for Nona Hendryx on the R&B charts in 1983. Ellen Foley (born June 5, 1951 in St Louis, Missouri) is an American singer and actress who has appeared on Broadway and on Nona Hendryx (born October 9 1944 in Trenton, New Jersey) is an American Vocalist, Record producer, That same year, "Right Track Wrong Train," which Greenwich wrote with Kent and Cyndi Lauper, was the B-side of Cyndi's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" which hit #2 on the U. Cynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper (born June 22 1953 is an American Grammy - and Emmy award winning Singer-songwriter and S. charts.
Greenwich on Broadway
Greenwich's affiliation with Ellen Foley and Nona Hendryx indirectly led to a Broadway show that resurrected her 1960s music. Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located When Foley and Hendryx performed at the Bottom Line cabaret in New York City, Greenwich was there to see them. The Bottom Line was an intimate music venue in New York City 's Greenwich Village, at 15 West Fourth Street between Broadway and Washington Square Park Bottom Line owner Allan Pepper convinced Greenwich to meet him and discuss putting together a revue showcasing her hits. In 1984, Leader of the Pack, a show based on the life and music of Ellie Greenwich, opened at Bottom Line. Leader of the Pack is a musical with Liner notes by Anne Beatts and additional material by Jack Heifner, music by Ellie Greenwich Greenwich appeared as herself in Act Two, which focused on her early years in Long Island and her marriage and partnership with Barry. The show was revamped for Broadway and opened at the Ambassador Theater the following year. Cast members included Greenwich, Darlene Love, Annie Golden, Dinah Manoff as young Ellie, and Patrick Cassidy as Jeff Barry. Darlene Love ( née Wright; born July 26, 1941) is an American Popular music Singer. Annie Golden (born October 19 1951) is an American actress and singer Dinah Beth Manoff (born January 25, 1958) is an American stage and Film Actress. Patrick Cassidy (born January 4 1962 in Los Angeles California) is an American actor best known for his roles in Musical theatre Leader of the Pack was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical and a Grammy Award for the cast album, and the play garnered The New York Music Critics' Award for Best Broadway Musical. The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences During the 1990s and into the new millennium, the musical has enjoyed several revivals and continues to be performed at schools and community theaters.
Hall of Fame
In 1991, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. Leader Of The Pack is still performed all over the world, and Greenwich oversees the various productions.
See also
External links
- Ellie Greenwich Official Website
- Ellie Greenwich at the Songwriters Hall of Fame
- http://www.geocities.com/shakin_stacks/elliegreenwich.txt
References
The Best of the Girl Groups is a 2-volume compilation series released by Rhino Records in 1990 The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music.Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic