Richie Barrett
As one of the first successful independent black record producers, few were… Read Full Bio ↴As one of the first successful independent black record producers, few were more influential in shaping the New York R&B sound. Producer and songwriter Richard "Richie" Barrett discovered or promoted such musical groups as Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, The Chantels, Little Anthony & The Imperials, The Valentines, and The Three Degrees. He managed The Chantels in the 1950s, and later managed The Three Degrees from the early 60s until the early 80s, creating the greatest Girl Group of that era, producing many of their albums and conducting the Orchestra at their amazing live shows. Barrett was most famous for the song "Some Other Guy."
Barrett sang lead for The Valentines from 1954 to 1957. Ronnie Bright, who later joined The Cadillacs and The Coasters, sang bass. Barrett co-wrote two songs with Carl Hogan (also from The Valentines). One was "Be Sure My Love" which was recorded by The Dubs on Gone Records in 1958, and another "So Much" was recorded by Little Anthony & The Imperials on End Records in 1958 and by The Attributes. On The Chantels' single "Maybe" in 1958, Barrett played piano, bass, and drums. He also produced several of The Chantels' records.
Barrett's first single was a cover of The Fleetwoods' "Come Softly To Me", which used The Chantels as backup singers. He cut the record "Some Other Guy" in 1962 which was modeled on Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" and was assured immortality, if not a hit single, following cover versions performed by The Beatles and other Liverpool groups of the time. A clip of The Beatles performing the song at The Cavern was shown on television in Britain in mid 1962 before they'd signed with Parlophone, and has been included on many videos and DVDs.
There is also a record by Richard T. Barrett called "Try To Be Happy" b/w "Your Gentle Heart" released on Maarc Records #1542 in 1962. This may be a different singer.
In 1998, Ben Vereen portrayed Richard Barrett in the film about Frankie Lymon called "Why Do Fools Fall In Love."
Barrett sang lead for The Valentines from 1954 to 1957. Ronnie Bright, who later joined The Cadillacs and The Coasters, sang bass. Barrett co-wrote two songs with Carl Hogan (also from The Valentines). One was "Be Sure My Love" which was recorded by The Dubs on Gone Records in 1958, and another "So Much" was recorded by Little Anthony & The Imperials on End Records in 1958 and by The Attributes. On The Chantels' single "Maybe" in 1958, Barrett played piano, bass, and drums. He also produced several of The Chantels' records.
Barrett's first single was a cover of The Fleetwoods' "Come Softly To Me", which used The Chantels as backup singers. He cut the record "Some Other Guy" in 1962 which was modeled on Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" and was assured immortality, if not a hit single, following cover versions performed by The Beatles and other Liverpool groups of the time. A clip of The Beatles performing the song at The Cavern was shown on television in Britain in mid 1962 before they'd signed with Parlophone, and has been included on many videos and DVDs.
There is also a record by Richard T. Barrett called "Try To Be Happy" b/w "Your Gentle Heart" released on Maarc Records #1542 in 1962. This may be a different singer.
In 1998, Ben Vereen portrayed Richard Barrett in the film about Frankie Lymon called "Why Do Fools Fall In Love."
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