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Bert Berns

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Bert Russell" redirects here. For the British mathematician, seeBertrand Russell.For the Australian footballer, seeBert Russell (footballer).

Bert Berns
Birth nameBertrand Russell Berns
Also known asBert Russell
Born(1929-11-08)November 8, 1929
New York City,U.S.
DiedDecember 30, 1967(1967-12-30)(aged 38)
New York City, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Songwriter
  • record producer
  • label executive
Years active1960–1967
Labels
Websitebertberns

Bertrand Russell Berns(November 8, 1929 – December 30, 1967), also known asBert Russelland (occasionally)Russell Byrd,was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s.[1]His songwriting credits include "Twist and Shout","Piece of My Heart","Here Comes the Night","Hang on Sloopy","Cry to Me"and"Everybody Needs Somebody to Love",and his productions include"Baby, Please Don't Go","Brown Eyed Girl"and"Under the Boardwalk".

Early life

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Born in theBronx,New York City, Berns contractedrheumatic feveras a child, an illness that damaged his heart and would mark the rest of his life, resulting in his early death. Turning to music, he found enjoyment in the sounds of hisAfrican AmericanandLatinoneighbors. As a young man, Berns danced inmambonightclubs, and made his way to Havana before the Cuban Revolution.[2]: 23 

Music career

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Beginnings (1960–1963)

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Shortly after his return from Cuba, Berns began a seven-year run from an obscureBrill Buildingsongwriter to owner of his own record labels. He signed as a $50/week (equivalent to $500 in 2023) songwriter withRobert MellinMusic at 1650 Broadway in 1960. His first hit record was "A Little Bit of Soap",performed bythe Jarmelson Laurie Records in 1961. Berns himself had a short-lived career as a recording artist, and in 1961, under the name "Russell Byrd", Berns scored his onlyBillboardHot 100appearance with his own composition, "You'd Better Come Home", which peaked at Number 50.[3]That song would later be recorded by theIsley Brothers,and featured as the B-side of their 1962 single "Twistin' With Linda". Also in 1962, the Isley Brothers recorded "Twist and Shout"on Wand Records, written by Berns andPhil Medley.[1]Berns also hit the charts in late 1962 withthe Exciters' "Tell Him"on United Artists, and withSolomon Burke's "Cry to Me"onAtlantic Records.As an independent producer working with myriad record labels, Berns also made important records withGarnet Mimms( "Cry Baby") andGene Pitney( "If I Didn't Have a Dime (to Play the Jukebox)" ).[1]

Atlantic Records (1963–1965)

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Berns's early work with Solomon Burke brought him to the attention of Atlantic label chiefsAhmet ErtegunandJerry Wexler.In 1963, Berns replacedJerry Leiber and Mike Stolleras staff producer at Atlantic, where he wrote and produced hits forSolomon Burke( "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" ),the Drifters( "Under the Boardwalk" and "Saturday Night at the Movies" ),Barbara Lewis( "Baby I'm Yours" and "Make Me Your Baby" ), LittleEsther Phillips( "Hello Walls,"written by Willie Nelson),Ben E. King,Wilson PickettandLaVern Baker.[1]

British Invasion (1964–1965)

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With many of Berns's songs being recorded byBritish Invasionbands such asthe Beatles( "Twist and Shout"),the Rolling Stones( "Cry to Me") andthe Animals( "Baby Let Me Take You Home"), Berns became the first American record producer to travel across the Atlantic to work in London.[2]: 222 He went to England three times between 1964 and 1965, where he produced a number ofBritishDeccasongs such as "Baby Please Don't Go,"a traditional blues song recorded by Them, and"Here Comes the Night,"recorded byLuluandThem.[1]

BANG Records (1965–1967)

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Berns formed his own record label,BANG Records,in 1965.[1]BANG was home to such artists asthe McCoys( "Hang on Sloopy"),the Strangeloves( "I Want Candy"), Them's ex-lead singerVan Morrison( "Brown Eyed Girl"),[1]and, most notably,Neil Diamond( "Solitary Man"and"Cherry Cherry,"both produced byJeff BarryandEllie Greenwich).

Shout Records (1966–1967)

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With BANG Records releasing predominantly rock and roll, Berns formedShout Recordsin 1966 as an outlet for his greatest passions ofR&Bandsoul music,recording artists suchFreddie Scott( "Are You Lonely for Me Baby" ) andErma Franklin( "Piece of My Heart").[1]"Piece of My Heart", one of his last songs, was covered shortly thereafter byBig Brother and the Holding Company,which the then unknownJanis Joplinfronted,[1]peaking at #12 on theBillboardHot 100;[4]the song also charted on both the Hot 100 and theBillboardHot Rhythm & Blues Singlescharts for Franklin's version (in 1967), on the Hot 100 for a medley byMelissa EtheridgeandJoss Stone(in 2005), as well as charting at #1 on theBillboardHot Country Songschart forFaith Hill's version (in 1994).

Death and legacy

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Berns, who had a history of cardiac trouble as a result of his heart being damaged from rheumatic fever contracted during childhood, died in his New York apartment of heart failure on December 30, 1967, aged 38.[1]He was buried two days later, following a funeral service atRiverside Memorial Chapelon New York's 180 West 76th Street in Manhattan. His widowIleneoutlived her husband by nearly 50 years; she died at the age of 73 on February 20, 2017.

TheLed Zeppelinouttake "Baby Come on Home"(originally titled" A Tribute to Bert Berns ") was loosely based on a song Berns wrote forHoagy Lands,and was recorded in Berns' honour.[5]

Here Comes the Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm and BluesbyJoel Selvin,a book on his life and career, was published in 2014.[6]

A musical,Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Storyby Daniel Goldfarb, premiered off-Broadway in 2014 at thePershing Square Signature Center.[7]

A documentary film titledBANG! The Bert Berns Story,co-directed by Bert Berns' son Brett Berns andBob Sarles,premiered at the 2016 SXSW Film Festival[8]to great acclaim.[9]The narration was written by Joel Selvin from his bookHere Comes the Nightand it was narrated byStevie Van Zandt.

Awards and honors

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Berns was inducted as a non-performer and given theAhmet ErtegunLifetime Achievement Award with the 2016 class to theRock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Selected writing credits

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Selected producer credits

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Selected discography

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  • The Heart and Soul of Bert Berns(2003) a CD compiled byDoug MorrisandUniversal Musicencompassing some of Berns' best work.
  • Twist and Shout: The Bert Berns Story – Vol. 1: 1960–1964(2008), a CD featuring more than two dozen of Berns' R&B and rock hits, released through Ace Records of England.
  • Mr. Success: The Bert Berns Story – Vol. 2: 1964–1967(2010), a CD featuring more than two dozen of Berns' R&B and rock hits, released through Ace Records of England.
  • Hang on Sloopy: The Bert Berns Story – Vol. 3(2014), a CD featuring more than two dozen of Berns' R&B and rock hits, released through Ace Records of England.

References

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  1. ^abcdefghijColin Larkin,ed. (1993).The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music(First ed.).Guinness Publishing.pp. 20/1.ISBN0-85112-733-9.
  2. ^abSelvin, Joel(2014).Here Comes the Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm and Blues.Counterpoint Press.ISBN978-1-61902-541-7.
  3. ^"Russell Byrd – Chart History".Billboard.Archivedfrom the original on March 16, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 22,2020.
  4. ^"The Hot 100 Week of November 9, 1968".Billboard.RetrievedNovember 3,2021.
  5. ^Rohter, Larry(July 16, 2014)."Many-Hit Wonder, Out of Obscurity".The New York Times.p. AR16.
  6. ^Gordon, Robert(May 30, 2014)."Hit Man".The New York Times.p. BR41.
  7. ^"Piece of My Heart: The Bert Berns Story".Merged Work Productions.RetrievedMay 8,2017.
  8. ^"BANG! The Bert Berns Story".South by Southwest.March 11, 2016.
  9. ^"SXSW Film Review".Blogcritics.April 1, 2016.
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