Deke Richards

Deke Richards
Birth name	Dennis Lussier
Also known as	Deke Lussier
Born	(1944-04-08)April 8, 1944 Los Angeles,California,United States
Died	March 24, 2013(2013-03-24)(aged 68) Bellingham, Washington,US
Genres	Rhythm and blues,pop
Occupation(s)	Record producer,songwriter
Labels	Motown

Deke Richards(bornDennis Lussier;April 8, 1944 – March 24, 2013), also known asDeke Lussier,was anAmericansongwriterandrecord producerwho was affiliated withMotown.He was a member of both the Clan andthe Corporation,the latter a production team that wrote and produced some ofthe Jackson 5's early hits.

Biography

He was born inLos Angeles, California.His father was the screenwriterDane Lussier.Deke Lussier portrayed one of the band members in the movieEegahin 1962.He later used thestage nameDeke Richards. While playing in a band that backed singerDebbie Dean,he wrote a song for her, and metBerry GordywhenThe Supremesplayed at theHollywood Palacein 1966. Gordy signed Richards to a contract as arecord producerand songwriter.

Richards also wrote and produced forBobby Darin,Martha and the Vandellas,The Blackberries, Stacie Johnson, and others,and producedDiana Ross and the SupremesafterHolland, Dozier and Hollandleft Motown in 1968.He co-wrote the U.S. no.1 hit "Love Child"for the Supremes, and was responsible for"I'm Still Waiting",a UK no.1 hit, forDiana Ross.He and fellow writerSherlie Matthewsalso formulated the vocal sextet Celebration, which released an album onMotown's Mowest label, in an attempt to replicate the success of the5th Dimension.

Richards died ofesophageal canceron March 24, 2013, at age 68.

External links

• Deke RichardsatIMDb
• Credits at Allmusic
• Songwriting credits at BMI