Arranger, composer, keyboardist and producer from Detroit, Michigan, who started out on piano at seven years of age and laid down his first professional tracks before his twentieth birthday.
Some of his early credits included “Bring the Boys Home” by Freda Payne and “Want Ads” by Honey Cone.
In 1974, he relocated to L.A. where he became ensconced in the burgeoning session scene. On the small screen, he performed The Love Boat theme; on the big screen, he performed on the soundtrack of Which Way is Up?.
As an arranger and orchestrator, he scored hits with “Victim” and “Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton, and “You Can’t Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)” by High Inergy.
He struck gold with the title track from In the Night-Time, which he co-wrote with Michael Henderson.
Other film and TV credits include The Arsenio Hall Show, Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo, Endless Love, Fame, MLK: A Dream Deferred, The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour, The Other Side of Victory, and Quicksilver.
His discography is massive, and here are but a few highlights: Back to Basics by The Temptations; Close Encounters by Gene Page; Contact by Freda Payne; House of Love by Candi Staton; Just Being Myself by Dionne Warwick; Lead Me On by Maxine Nightingale; Love Songs by Earl Klugh; Set My Love in Motion by Syreeta; Share Your Love by Kenny Rogers; Songs from the Key of Life by Najee; Sweet Passion by Aretha Franklin; That’s What Friends Are For by Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams; A Very Special Season by Diana Ross; and, A Woman Needs Love by Ray Parker, Jr. & Raydio.
He has also served on the board of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers (ASMAC).
Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams recordings
Emotion (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb)
S CBS 6164B (UK 45)
He performs on keyboards here…
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