Bob Russell (songwriter)
Encyclopedia
Sidney Keith "Bob" Russell, (25 April 1914 - February 1970) was an American songwriter (mainly lyricist
) born in Passaic, New Jersey
.
In 1968, Russell along with songwriting partner Quincy Jones
was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Original Song category ("The Eyes Of Love" for the film Banning
). The following year, both he and Jones were nominated again in the same category (for the Sidney Poitier
film For Love of Ivy
).
Russell attended Washington University in St. Louis
, Missouri
where he was roommates with Sidney Sheldon
the novelist. He then went to work as an advertising copywriter. Russell then turned to writing special material for vaudeville
acts, and then for film
studios, ultimately writing complete scores for two movies: Jack and the Beanstalk
and Reach for Glory
. The latter film received the Locarno International Film Festival
prize in 1962
. A number of other movies featured compositions by Russell: Affair in Trinidad
, Blue Gardenia, The Girl Can't Help It
, The Girl Most Likely
, Matter of Who, Meet Captain Kidd, Sound-Off, That Midnight Kiss
, and Ticket to Tomahawk. In the movies The Girl Most Likely, Blue Gardenia, and Matter of Who, Russell's compositions included the title songs.
He had his last hit song in 1969-70, with "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
" recorded by The Hollies
. The song was introduced to the group by Russell's son-in-law Jefferey Spearitt, who was living in London at the time with his wife Simohn.
Among his collaborators were Lou Alter, Peter De Rose, Duke Ellington
, Bronislaw Kaper
, Lester Lee, Carl Sigman
, Harold Spina
, and Harry Warren
.
In 1970 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
. Russell died from cancer
in February 1970. In 2004 he was posthumously awarded the ASCAP lifetime achievement award in "Pop" music.
(1897–1981) who wrote the standards "Sentimental Journey", "Once In A While", and "Alabamy Bound". One of Russell's three daughters, Simohn Spearitt (b. 1945) is an author, who wrote Pink Rose Bush, a book for children intended to foster self-esteem. She is also an artist and watercolorist who now resides in Mexico with her husband Jefferey. His grandson is singer/songwriter/producer Luther Russell
(b. 1970). His granddaughter Savannah Spirit (b. 1975) is a curator and founder of the artist networking website Veaux.org. Other family members include daughters, ex-music publisher Molly Hyman of Burbank, California
(b. 1935) and Linda Smith (1942–2001).
Lyricist
A lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
) born in Passaic, New Jersey
Passaic, New Jersey
Passaic is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 69,781, maintaining its status as the 15th largest municipality in New Jersey with an increase of 1,920 residents from the 2000 Census population of 67,861...
.
In 1968, Russell along with songwriting partner Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Quincy Delightt Jones, Jr. is an American record producer and musician. A conductor, musical arranger, film composer, television producer, and trumpeter. His career spans five decades in the entertainment industry and a record 79 Grammy Award nominations, 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend...
was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Original Song category ("The Eyes Of Love" for the film Banning
Banning (film)
Banning is 1967 film directed by Ron Winston and starring Robert Wagner, Jill St. John, Gene Hackman, Guy Stockwell and James Farentino. Quincy Jones and Bob Russell were nominated for an Academy Award for the song, "The Eyes of Love."-Plot:...
). The following year, both he and Jones were nominated again in the same category (for the Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE is a Bahamian American actor, film director, author, and diplomat.In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field...
film For Love of Ivy
For Love of Ivy
For Love of Ivy is a 1968 romantic comedy film directed by Daniel Mann. The film stars Sidney Poitier, Abbey Lincoln, Beau Bridges, Nan Martin, Lauri Peters and Carroll O'Connor. The story was written by Sidney Poitier with screenwriter Robert Alan Arthur. The musical score was composed by Quincy...
).
Russell attended Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
where he was roommates with Sidney Sheldon
Sidney Sheldon
Sidney Sheldon was an Academy Award-winning American writer. His TV works spanned a 20-year period during which he created The Patty Duke Show , I Dream of Jeannie and Hart to Hart , but he became most famous after he turned 50 and began writing best-selling novels such as Master of the Game ,...
the novelist. He then went to work as an advertising copywriter. Russell then turned to writing special material for vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
acts, and then for film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
studios, ultimately writing complete scores for two movies: Jack and the Beanstalk
Jack and the Beanstalk (1952 film)
Jack and the Beanstalk is a 1952 American family comedy film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. It is a comic revision of the classic Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale.-Plot:...
and Reach for Glory
Reach for Glory
Reach for Glory is a 1962 British film adaptation of John Rae's 1961 novel, The Custard Boys, directed by Philip Leacock. It received a United Nations Award.- Plot :...
. The latter film received the Locarno International Film Festival
Locarno International Film Festival
The Film Festival Locarno is an international film festival held annually in the city of Locarno, Switzerland since 1946. After Cannes and Venice and together with Karlovy Vary, Locarno is the Film Festival with the longest history...
prize in 1962
1962 in film
The year 1962 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May - The Golden Horse Film Festival and Awards are officially founded by the Taiwanese government....
. A number of other movies featured compositions by Russell: Affair in Trinidad
Affair in Trinidad
Affair in Trinidad is a film produced by Hayworth's Beckworth Corporation, released by Columbia Pictures, and starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. It is notable as Hayworth's "comeback" film after four years away from Columbia, as a re-teaming of the Gilda co-stars, and for a fiery opening...
, Blue Gardenia, The Girl Can't Help It
The Girl Can't Help It
The Girl Can't Help It is a 1956 comedy musical film starring Jayne Mansfield, Tom Ewell, and Edmond O'Brien. It was produced and directed by Frank Tashlin, with a screenplay adapted by Tashlin and Herbert Baker from an uncredited novel Do Re Me by Garson Kanin...
, The Girl Most Likely
The Girl Most Likely
The Girl Most Likely is a musical about a young woman who ends up engaged to three men at the same time. The film, a remake of Tom, Dick and Harry , was directed by Mitchell Leisen, and stars Jane Powell, Cliff Robertson, and Keith Andes...
, Matter of Who, Meet Captain Kidd, Sound-Off, That Midnight Kiss
That Midnight Kiss
That Midnight Kiss was the screen debut of tenor Mario Lanza, also starring Kathryn Grayson, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Among the supporting cast were Ethel Barrymore, conductor/pianist Jose Iturbi , Keenan Wynn, J. Carroll Naish, and Jules Munshin...
, and Ticket to Tomahawk. In the movies The Girl Most Likely, Blue Gardenia, and Matter of Who, Russell's compositions included the title songs.
He had his last hit song in 1969-70, with "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
"He Ain't Heavy... He's My Brother" is a popular music ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for The Hollies later that year and again for Neil Diamond in 1970....
" recorded by The Hollies
The Hollies
The Hollies are an English pop and rock group, formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s...
. The song was introduced to the group by Russell's son-in-law Jefferey Spearitt, who was living in London at the time with his wife Simohn.
Among his collaborators were Lou Alter, Peter De Rose, Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, Bronislaw Kaper
Bronislaw Kaper
Bronisław Kaper was a Polish film composer who scored films and musical theater in Germany, France, and the USA. The American immigration authorities misspelled his name as Bronislau Kaper...
, Lester Lee, Carl Sigman
Carl Sigman
Carl Sigman was an American songwriter.-Biography:Born in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, Sigman graduated from law school and passed his Bar exams to practice in the state of New York...
, Harold Spina
Harold Spina
Harold Spina was an American composer of popular songs. His best-known work happened in the early 1930s, when he collaborated with lyricists Johnny Burke and Joe Young on songs such as "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore", "You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew", "My Very Good Friend the Milkman" ,...
, and Harry Warren
Harry Warren
Harry Warren was an American composer and lyricist. Warren was the first major American songwriter to write primarily for film. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song eleven times and won three Oscars for composing "Lullaby of Broadway", "You'll Never Know" and "On the Atchison,...
.
In 1970 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. It was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and music publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The goal is to create a museum but as of April, 2008, the means do not yet exist and so instead it is an online...
. Russell died from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in February 1970. In 2004 he was posthumously awarded the ASCAP lifetime achievement award in "Pop" music.
Family members
Russell's wife, Hannah Russell (1913–2002), born in N.Y.C. was also a composer of children's movies and songs while living in London, England (1959–62) and is also the author of SpaceSongs, A Children's Intergalatica Musical Journey. Bob Russell's brother-in-law was the important songwriter Bud GreenBud Green
Bud Green was an Austrian-born songwriter. Bud Green grew up in Harlem at 108th & Madison Ave. at the turn of the century, the eldest of seven. He dropped out of elementary school to sell newspapers and help the family...
(1897–1981) who wrote the standards "Sentimental Journey", "Once In A While", and "Alabamy Bound". One of Russell's three daughters, Simohn Spearitt (b. 1945) is an author, who wrote Pink Rose Bush, a book for children intended to foster self-esteem. She is also an artist and watercolorist who now resides in Mexico with her husband Jefferey. His grandson is singer/songwriter/producer Luther Russell
Luther Russell
Luther Russell is an American musician who has been recording since 1991, initially as lead singer/songwriter of his old band, The Freewheelers, who made two albums for DGC and American, respectively....
(b. 1970). His granddaughter Savannah Spirit (b. 1975) is a curator and founder of the artist networking website Veaux.org. Other family members include daughters, ex-music publisher Molly Hyman of Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
(b. 1935) and Linda Smith (1942–2001).
Lyricist
- "BabaluBabalu (song)Babalu is the title of a Cuban song, written by Margarita Lecuona, the cousin of composers Ernestina and Ernesto Lecuona. The song title is either a reference to the Santería deity Babalu Aye or to Babalawo, the title of a Santería priest and diviner....
" - "BrazilAquarela do Brasil"Aquarela do Brasil" , known in the English-speaking world simply as "Brazil", is one of the most famous Brazilian songs of all time, written by Ary Barroso in 1939.-Background and composition:...
" (wrote English languageEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
lyric to music by Ary BarrosoAry BarrosoAry Barroso was a Brazilian composer, pianist, soccer commentator, and talent-show host on radio and TV...
) - "CarnivalCarnival (song)"Carnival" is a 1995 song written and produced by singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant and was the lead single from her debut solo album Tigerlily....
" (Music by Harry WarrenHarry WarrenHarry Warren was an American composer and lyricist. Warren was the first major American songwriter to write primarily for film. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song eleven times and won three Oscars for composing "Lullaby of Broadway", "You'll Never Know" and "On the Atchison,...
) - "Circus" (music by Louis AlterLouis AlterLouis Alter was an American pianist, songwriter and composer. Alter was 13 when he began playing piano in theaters showing silent films...
) - "Crazy He Calls Me" (Music by Carl SigmanCarl SigmanCarl Sigman was an American songwriter.-Biography:Born in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, Sigman graduated from law school and passed his Bar exams to practice in the state of New York...
) - "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" (Music by Duke EllingtonDuke EllingtonEdward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
) - "Don't Get Around Much AnymoreDon't Get Around Much Anymore"Don't Get Around Much Anymore" is a jazz standard with music by Duke Ellington and lyrics by Bob Russell. The tune was originally titled "Never No Lament" and was first recorded by Ellington in 1940 as a big band instrumental...
" (Music by Duke EllingtonDuke EllingtonEdward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
) - "FrenesiFrenesi"Frenesi" is a musical piece originally composed by Alberto Dominguez for the marimba, and adapted as a jazz standard by Leonard Whitcup and others. A hit version recorded by Artie Shaw reached number one on the Billboard pop chart on December 21, 1940...
" (Music by Alberto Dominguez, lyrics by Dominguez and Ray CharlesRay CharlesRay Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
as well as Russell) - "He Ain't Heavy, He's My BrotherHe Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"He Ain't Heavy... He's My Brother" is a popular music ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for The Hollies later that year and again for Neil Diamond in 1970....
" (Music by Bobby Scott) - "I Didn't Know About YouI Didn't Know About You"I Didn't Know About You" is a 1944 song composed by Duke Ellington, with lyrics written by Bob Russell.Alec Wilder wrote that it "works well as a song in [the] series of Ellington instrumentals with Russell lyrics...
" (Music by Duke EllingtonDuke EllingtonEdward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
) - "I Know, I Know, I Know" (Music by Bronislaw KaperBronislaw KaperBronisław Kaper was a Polish film composer who scored films and musical theater in Germany, France, and the USA. The American immigration authorities misspelled his name as Bronislau Kaper...
) - "Interlude" (Music by Pete RugoloPete RugoloPietro "Pete" Rugolo was an Italian-born jazz composer and arranger.-Life and career:Rugolo was born in San Piero Patti, Sicily, Italy. His family emigrated to the United States in 1920 and settled in Santa Rosa, California...
) - "Like Love" (Music by Duke EllingtonDuke EllingtonEdward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
) - "Maria ElenaMaria Elena"María Elena" is a 1932 popular song written by Lorenzo Barcelata . It was published by Peer International Corporation of Mexico...
" (Music by Lorenzo BarcelataLorenzo BarcelataLorenzo Barcelata was a Mexican composer and actor born in Tlalixcoyan. He died in Mexico City from cholera, shortly before his 45th birthday....
) - "MisirlouMisirlouMisirlou , is a popular Greek song with popularity in five styles of music: Greek rebetiko, Middle-Eastern belly dancing, Jewish klezmer, American surf rock, and international orchestral easy listening .- History :...
" (collaboration with Fred WiseFred Wise (lyricist)Fred Wise was the co-writer of the lyrics to the 1948 song "'A' — You're Adorable" with Buddy Kaye. He subsequently wrote many of the songs sung by Elvis Presley in his movies....
and Milton Leeds on English languageEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
lyric) - "No Other LoveNo Other Love (1950 song)"No Other Love" is a popular song.The words were written by Bob Russell. The music is credited to Paul Weston but is actually derived from Frédéric Chopin's Étude No. 3 in E, Op. 10...
" (Music by Paul WestonPaul WestonPaul Weston was an American pianist, arranger, composer and conductor. Weston was born Paul Wetstein in Springfield, Massachusetts...
) - "OnceOnceOnce may refer to:Music* Once * Once * Once * Once * Once * Once , an Indonesian singerOther uses* Once...
" (1962 with Joanie Sommers and Bobby Troup Sextet) (Music by Harold Spina) - "Taboo" (wrote English languageEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
lyric to music by Margarita Lecuona) - "Would I Love You (Love You, Love You)Would I Love You (Love You, Love You)"Would I Love You " is a popular song with music by Harold Spina and lyrics by Bob Russell. It was published in 1950.It was popularized by Patti Page in a recording made on January 2, 1951. The recording was issued by Mercury Records as catalog number 5571, and first reached the Billboard chart on...
" (Music by Harold SpinaHarold SpinaHarold Spina was an American composer of popular songs. His best-known work happened in the early 1930s, when he collaborated with lyricists Johnny Burke and Joe Young on songs such as "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore", "You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew", "My Very Good Friend the Milkman" ,...
) - "You Came a Long Way from St. Louis" (Music by John Benson BrooksJohn Benson BrooksJohn Benson Brooks was an American jazz pianist, songwriter, arranger, and composer....
)
Composer and lyricist
- "Busy as a Bee" (in collaboration with Joseph MeyerJoseph Meyer (songwriter)Joseph Meyer was an American songwriter who wrote some of the most notable songs of the first half of the twentieth century....
and Carl SigmanCarl SigmanCarl Sigman was an American songwriter.-Biography:Born in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York, Sigman graduated from law school and passed his Bar exams to practice in the state of New York...
) - "The Color of LoveThe Color of Love"The Color of Love" is the lead single by R&B vocal group Boyz II Men from the album Full Circle.- Track listing :# "The Color of Love" # "The Color of Love"...
" (with Bronislaw KaperBronislaw KaperBronisław Kaper was a Polish film composer who scored films and musical theater in Germany, France, and the USA. The American immigration authorities misspelled his name as Bronislau Kaper...
)
(TBD)
- "It's the Beast in Me"
- "Just When We're Falling in Love"
- "A Lonesome Cup of Coffee"
- "Matinee"
- "No MoreNo More (1944 song)"No More" is a song with music by Toots Camarata and words by Bob Russell. It's usually mentioned in connection with Billie Holiday, who recorded it on October 4, 1944....
" (with Tutti CamarataTutti CamarataSalvador "Tutti" Camarata was a composer, arranger and trumpeter.-Early life and career:Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, Camarata studied music at Juilliard School in New York - a student of Bernard Wagenaar, Joseph Littau, Cesare Sodero, and Jan Meyerowitz...
) - "OnceOnce (song)"Once" is a song by the American rock band Pearl Jam. Featuring lyrics written by vocalist Eddie Vedder and music written by guitarist Stone Gossard, "Once" is the first track on the band's debut album, Ten . On Ten, it is preceded by a brief interlude of the album's closing hidden track,...
" - "Time Was (song)"
- "Watching the Clock"
- "You Go Your Way"