Hitmaking Producer Richard Perry Dies at 82

Richard Perry, the prolific and versatile record producer behind numerous chart-topping hits across genres, passed away Tuesday at the age of 82, The Associated Press reports.

Perry, known for his work with artists ranging from Carly Simon to Rod Stewart, died at a Los Angeles hospital after suffering cardiac arrest, according to friend Daphna Kastner.

A recipient of the Grammys Trustee Award in 2015, Perry’s career spanned decades and cemented his reputation as a “musician’s producer” who prioritized artistic collaboration. He was famously adept at guiding artists through musical transformations, whether it was updating their sound (Barbra Streisand), revisiting classic styles (Rod Stewart), or reigniting their careers (Fats Domino).

Perry’s discography includes an impressive list of iconic tracks, including Carly Simon’s enigmatic “You’re So Vain,” Harry Nilsson’s heartbreaking ballad “Without You,” and The Pointer Sisters’ energetic “I’m So Excited.” He also produced the novelty hit “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” by Tiny Tim and the popular duet “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” by Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias. His impact extended across pop, R&B, dance, and country charts, boasting #1 hits in each genre.

Beyond his studio prowess, Perry was also known for his close relationships with prominent figures in music and entertainment. He witnessed early performances by Little Richard and Chuck Berry, was present at Otis Redding’s legendary set at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, and even attended a recording session for the Rolling Stones’ album “Let It Bleed.” He was a frequent dinner guest of Paul and Linda McCartney and Mick and Bianca Jagger, and he even dated Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Fonda.

In the 1970s, Perry played a pivotal role in a near-Beatles reunion on Ringo Starr’s self-titled album “Ringo.” The album, released in 1973, reached No. 2 on Billboard and featured contributions from Nilsson, Billy Preston, Steve Cropper, Martha Reeves and all five members of The Band. It produced hit singles like “Photograph,” co-written by Starr and George Harrison, and a remake of “You’re Sixteen.” The album’s most significant track, however, was “I’m the Greatest,” a mock-anthem written by John Lennon that reunited three Beatles in the studio: Starr on drums, Lennon on keyboards and backing vocals, and Harrison joining later on guitar. Paul McCartney, while not in the studio for this song, did contribute vocals to the ballad “Six O’Clock.”

Perry’s production of “You’re So Vain” was a career highlight, which he described as being the nearest he came to a perfect record. The song’s enduring mystery, regarding the subject of Simon’s scornful lyrics, was finally addressed by Perry in his memoir where he revealed the song was a composite of several of Simon’s former lovers with Warren Beatty being the primary inspiration.

Later in his career, Perry revitalized Rod Stewart’s career with “The Great American Songbook” series, a collection of classic standards born out of Stewart’s creative block and personal struggles. The series, featuring songs like “The Very Thought of You” and “Angel Eyes,” became a major commercial success.

Born in New York City to musically inclined parents who founded Peripole Music, Perry was immersed in music from a young age. He played drums and oboe, and was part of a doo-wop group called the Escorts. While a music and theater major at the University of Michigan, he initially envisioned an acting career before forming a production company in the mid-1960s with Gary Katz, who later worked with Steely Dan.