Sanford Roy Linzer(born 1941) is an Americansongwriter,lyricist, andrecord producer,who is best known for his songwriting collaborations withDenny RandellandBob Crewein the 1960s and 1970s. He co-wrote hits including "A Lover's Concerto","Let's Hang On!","Working My Way Back to You","Breakin' Down the Walls of Heartache","Native New Yorker",and"Use It Up and Wear It Out".He was nominated with Randell for induction into theSongwriters Hall of Fame(SHOF) in 2012.[2]
Sandy Linzer | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sanford Roy Linzer[1] |
| Born | 1941 (age 82–83) |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter,lyricist,record producer |
| Years active | 1960s–present |
Life and career
editIn the early 1960s,Al Kasha,an associate of singer, songwriter and record producerBob Gaudio,introduced Linzer to Randell. They began writing together in 1963, initially for The Rag Dolls andBarbara Lewis.[3]The pair wrote several Top 10 songs forFrankie ValliandThe Four Seasons,including "Working My Way Back to You" (also a hit forThe Spinnersin 1979, and inIrelandforBoyzonein 1994), "Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)",and, with Bob Crewe," Let's Hang On! ". Linzer also co-wrote the group's song"Dawn (Go Away)".
In 1965, Randell and Linzer wrote andproducedmost of the songs for theR&Bgirl groupThe Toys,including their singles "A Lover's Concerto" (adapted fromMinuet in G major,once attributed toJohann Sebastian Bachbut now toChristian Petzold) and "Attack!".[3]Another Toys recording written by the duo, "Can't Get Enough Of You Baby",was later covered by the garage band?and the Mysteriansand, in 1998, was a #14 hit when covered bySmash Mouth.They also had a hit withJay and the Techniques' "Keep the Ball Rollin'". Linzer and Randell established their own record label, Oliver, in 1966.[3]They wrote two songs recorded byThe Monkees,"I'll Be Back Up On My Feet"and" The Day We Fall in Love ", and" Penny Arcade "byThe Cyrkle.They later wrote "Native New Yorker", performed byOdysseyon the soundtrack of the filmEyes of Laura Mars;it was later featured in the filmThe Nanny Diariesand the final year ofHBO’sSex and the City.Other co-writes and co-productions include "Breakin' Down the Walls of Heartache",a major UK hit in 1968 forJohnny Johnson and the Bandwagon,andSamantha Sang's 1978 chart hit "You Keep Me Dancin'". He also co-produced "You Can Do Magic", a 1973 UK top ten and US Hot 100 hit forLimmie and the Family Cookin'.He produced the eponymous 1976 album byDr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band,including the hit single "Cherchez La Femme",as well as band leader Cory Daye's first solo album.[3]
In 1980, he returned to working with Odyssey, co-writing (withL. Russell Brown) and producing the no. 1 UK hit "Use It Up and Wear It Out".He later co-wrote, with David Wolfert,"I Believe in You and Me",originally recorded in 1982 byThe Four Tops.The song was covered byWhitney Houstonfor the soundtrack of the 1996 filmThe Preacher's Wifeand became a no. 4 hit single. Linzer also teamed up withKool & The GangonFresh,which was a worldwide hit in 1985.[4]
Linzer also wrote the lyrics for the song "Spanish Eyes", recorded by theBackstreet Boyson their 1999 albumMillennium.In 2001 he produced and co-wrote the songs onBilly Gilman's self-titled album.[5]By 2007, he was working on joint projects withCharlie Calelloon TV show proposals, and creating musical greetings cards.[3]
Copyright lawsuit
editA copyright lawsuit againstDua Lipaby songwritersL. Russell Brownand Linzer "claimed thatLevitatinginfringed on their 1979 disco songWiggle and Giggle All Night".[6]
References
edit- ^Library of Congress, Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series - Page 1665
- ^"Sandy Linzer/Denny Randell".Songwriters Hall of Fame.Retrieved12 November2012.
- ^abcdeSandy Linzer at Feenotes.com.Retrieved 15 January 2013
- ^"Kool & The Gang – Fresh / In The Heart".Discogs.Retrieved21 December2020.
- ^"Sandy Linzer writing credits".Allmusic.Retrieved12 November2012.
- ^Kreps, Daniel (March 6, 2022)."Dua Lipa Hit With Second Copyright Lawsuit Over 'Levitating'".Rolling Stone.RetrievedMarch 12,2022.