Ellie Greenwich R.I.P.

Hi,

Yesterday the great songwriter, Ellie Greenwich, died from a heart attack. She was 68.

Ellie was involved in writing and producing some of the greatest pop music from the 60s and of all time. She wrote or co-wrote some all time classics from a golden age.

Such classics as;

Ronettes - Be my baby & Baby I love you
The Shangri-las - Leader of the Pack
The Crystals - Then he kissed me & Da do ron ron
Ike & Tina Turner - River deep, mountain high
The Exciters/Manfred Mann - Do wah diddy diddy
Beach Boys - I can hear music
Dixie Cups - Chapel of love

plus loads more.

Ellie was born in 1940 in New York. Her interest in music took a step forward when she started to play the acordian at 10 years old. This developed into her teens when she started to write songs on the panio. This also led to forming a singing group called the Jivettes.

While at college, she released a single called "Silly isn't it". This spurred her on to write more songs. While at college she met Jeff Barry. He later became her husband and co-song writer.

She got her big brake when she went the the Brill Building for a job interview with writer John Gluck jr. John was busy so he put Ellie in a office and told her to wait. The office belonged to Jerry Lieber & Mike Stoller. Jerry heard a panio and singing and thought it was Carole King. He was suprised to see Ellie but knew talent when he heard it. This led to Ellie working for Lieber & Stoller.

Here she started to have hits with tunes by The Exciters - He's got the power & Darlene Love - (Today I met) the boy I'm gonna marry. She also was proving to be a good session singer, cutting many demos and sing backing on tunes. She started to work with people like Phil Spector then with Jeff Barry.

When they got married, Ellie and Jeff Barry, worked together to write & produce many more classics.They score hits with the Ronettes, The Crystals, Darlene Love, Bobby Sox and the Blue jeans and many more. Manfred mann took one of her song and gave her a UK No1 with "Do wah Diddy Diddy".

By 1964, Lieber & Stoller set up the Red Bird label. They got Ellie & Jeff to be song writters and producers. This led to classics such as The Ronettes/Dixie Cups - Chapel of love, Ad-libs - He ain't no angel & The Shangri-las - Leader of the pack.

The pair also released a few singles during that period. Ellie discovered Neil Diamond and helped his early career.She and Jeff produced a number of his early hits. They also worked with Phil Spector to write the epic "River Deep, Mountain High" for Ike & Tina Turner. The song was a flop in the states (No88) but a massive hit in the UK(No3).

Ellie and Jeff's marriage didn't last but they still worked together as a team.

Later on, she worked with Dusty Springfield and also recorded her first solo LP, Ellie Greenwich Composes, Produces and Sings, in 1968. She was still in demand as a backing singer appearing on records by Dusty, Lou Christie, Van Morrison, Andy Kim, Bobby Darin & Frank Sinatra.

Her 2nd solo album in 1971, produced the song " Sunshine after the rain". This became a big hit for Elkie Brookes in the UK. She later worked with Ellen Folly & Jeff Kent.

In the 80s, a musical was produce that reflected her life and songs called "Leader of the pack". The received a later of critical acclaim and nomination for a Tony & Grammy awards. Ellie also featured as part of the cast.

In 1991, Ellie and Jeff Barry were inducted in the Songwriters hall of fame.

Ellie Greenwich helped to create some mighty fine pop music which has stood the test of time. The music sums up a era with tunes that never seem to go out of fashion. Corking stuff!

A good album to is this.

Here some examples of her work.

Exciters - Do wah Diddy

Ike & Tine Turner - River Deep, Mountain High

The Shangri-Las- Leader of the pack

The Ronettes - Be my baby

The Crystals - Da Do Ron Ron

Dean

 

Good post Dean.

RIP Ellie.

 

Yes Dev has said what a lot of us think a fine music maker
getting thin on the ground now. Noel W.

 

Her solo album "Let it be Written, Let it be Sung" is superb. Well worth seeking out.

 

Sad news to hear. Though i haven't ever heard of her before or heard any of the songs she wrote, i'll surely try them out now. Heard of her death in another music website a few days back.