Freddie Perren
Encyclopedia
Frederick "Freddie" Perren was an American songwriter
, record producer
, arranger
, and orchestra conductor best known for as a co-songwriter and co-producer of such mega-hits as "Boogie Fever
" by the Sylvers
, "I Will Survive
" by Gloria Gaynor
, and "Shake Your Groove Thing
" by Peaches & Herb
.
, New Jersey
, and graduated from Englewood's Dwight Morrow High School
in 1961. Perren attended Howard University
in Washington, D.C.
graduating in 1966. It is here where he would meet future songwriting partner Fonce Mizell
as well as Larkin Arnold.
Shortly after moving to California
from Washington, D.C.
in 1968, Perren and bassist Mizell
met guitarist Deke Richards
. They started writing songs togethers. In 1969 Motown president Berry Gordy
invited them to be part of his collective The Corporation, a collection of songwriters and record producers for The Jackson 5
. I Want You Back
was the first hit from this new collaboration going #1 in early 1970. They would go on to write and produce more Jackson 5
hits such as ABC
, "The Love You Save
", Mama's Pearl
, and Maybe Tomorrow
among others. Perren and The Corporation continued their work for Motown on soundtracks such as Hell Up in Harlem
and Cooley High
(which featured "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday
," later a hit for Boyz II Men
). Perren then moved into the disco arena with the hits Do It Baby
and Love Machine
for The Miracles
. By 1976 Perren would leave Motown and head over to Capitol Records
where another old college pal, Larkin Arnold, who was now V.P. In the next two years Perren would have success with The Sylvers
producing their first two Capitol albums. They had two gold singles Boogie Fever
& Hot Line and top ten single High School Dance. Also, successful were Tavares where Perren would produce three albums (Sky High!
, Love Storm
, and Future Bound
) including the hits Don't Take Away The Music, Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel
and More Than A Woman
, which was featured in the movie and soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever
. In 1978, Perren signed Peaches & Herb
to his production company, MVP Productions. Through him, the duo inked a deal with Polydor Records
. Their first Polydor album 2 Hot
included the gold single and Top five pop and R&B hit Shake Your Groove Thing
as well the number one crossover smash Reunited. 2 Hot went platinum because of those two hits hitting the number two pop spot for six weeks in early 1979. He received two Grammy Awards for his work: the 1979 Grammy Award for Album of the Year
as a producer on the Saturday Night Fever
soundtrack, and the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording
in 1980 (the only time it was awarded) for Gloria Gaynor
's "I Will Survive." Peaches & Herb
follow-up Twice the Fire went gold and yielded the singles We've Got Love, Roller Skate Mate (Part 1), and I Pledge My Love. Perren last worked with New Edition
in the 1986 on their Under the Blue Moon
album, but by the end of the decade he was largely inactive as a writer and producer. In 1993, Perren suffered a massive stroke
. He died 11 years later at the age of 61 in his home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. He is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
.
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, and orchestra conductor best known for as a co-songwriter and co-producer of such mega-hits as "Boogie Fever
Boogie Fever
"Boogie Fever" is the title of a song recorded by Los Angeles, California-based R&B group The Sylvers, from their 1975 album Showcase. Their most lucrative single, it reached number one in the U.S...
" by the Sylvers
The Sylvers
The Sylvers were a popular R&B/soul and disco family group during the 1970s. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, the family would later relocate to Watts, California.- Beginnings :...
, "I Will Survive
I Will Survive
"I Will Survive" is a song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris...
" by Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" , "Never Can Say Goodbye" , "Let Me Know " and "I Am What I Am" .-Early career:Gaynor was a singer with the Soul...
, and "Shake Your Groove Thing
Shake Your Groove Thing
"Shake Your Groove Thing" is a song by disco duo Peaches & Herb. It reached #2 for four weeks on the Billboard Disco chart in 1978. The single reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart.-In pop culture:...
" by Peaches & Herb
Peaches & Herb
Peaches & Herb was an American vocalist duo, once comprising Herb Fame and Francine "Peaches" Hurd Barker...
.
Biography
Perren was born on May 15, 1943, in EnglewoodEnglewood, New Jersey
Englewood is a city located in Bergen County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 27,147.Englewood was incorporated as a city by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1899, from portions of Ridgefield Township and the remaining portions of...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and graduated from Englewood's Dwight Morrow High School
Dwight Morrow High School
Dwight Morrow High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Englewood, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Englewood Public School District. The school also serves students from Englewood Cliffs, who attend as part of a sending/receiving relationship...
in 1961. Perren attended Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
graduating in 1966. It is here where he would meet future songwriting partner Fonce Mizell
Mizell Brothers
The Mizell Brothers were a record producing team in the 1970s, consisting of Larry Mizell and Alphonso "Fonce" Mizell .-History:...
as well as Larkin Arnold.
Shortly after moving to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1968, Perren and bassist Mizell
Mizell Brothers
The Mizell Brothers were a record producing team in the 1970s, consisting of Larry Mizell and Alphonso "Fonce" Mizell .-History:...
met guitarist Deke Richards
Deke Richards
Deke Richards, also known as Dennis Lussier and Deke Lussier, is a songwriter and record producer, one of many white musicians/songwriters who were affiliated with Motown...
. They started writing songs togethers. In 1969 Motown president Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
invited them to be part of his collective The Corporation, a collection of songwriters and record producers for The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
. I Want You Back
I Want You Back
"I Want You Back" was released in 1969 and in early 1970s became a number-one hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. The song, along with a b-side cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You", was the only single from the first Jackson 5 album, Diana Ross Presents...
was the first hit from this new collaboration going #1 in early 1970. They would go on to write and produce more Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
hits such as ABC
ABC (song)
"ABC" is a 1970 number-one hit song by The Jackson 5. "ABC" was written with the same design as "I Want You Back", and was first heard on American Bandstand in February 1970. "ABC" knocked The Beatles song "Let It Be" out of the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970...
, "The Love You Save
The Love You Save
"The Love You Save" is a 1970 number-one hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. It held the number-one spot on the soul singles chart for six weeks. It held the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for two weeks, from June 27 to July 4, 1970...
", Mama's Pearl
Mama's Pearl
"Mama's Pearl" was a hit recording for The Jackson 5 in 1971.It was one of six consecutive Top 5 singles for the legendary Motown, soul and funk group, reaching #2 when it was released and was written by the Corporation, a songwriting team that had helped the group score four consecutive #1 singles...
, and Maybe Tomorrow
Maybe Tomorrow (The Jackson 5 song)
"Maybe Tomorrow" was a hit single recorded by American soul family quintet The Jackson 5, in 1971.The ballad was originally supposed to have been sung by Sammy Davis, Jr. but for various reasons, the entertainer could not get on the schedule to do the song and the song was then given to the...
among others. Perren and The Corporation continued their work for Motown on soundtracks such as Hell Up in Harlem
Hell Up in Harlem
Hell Up in Harlem is a 1973 blaxploitation film, starring Fred Williamson and Gloria Hendry. The film was written and directed by Larry Cohen...
and Cooley High
Cooley High
Cooley High is a 1975 American film based upon the real high school located on the near north side of Chicago produced and released by American International Pictures and written by Eric Monte...
(which featured "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday
It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday
"It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" is an R&B song written by Motown husband-and-wife songwriting team Freddie Perren and Christine Yarian for the 1975 film Cooley High. In the film, the song is performed by Motown artist G.C. Cameron, whose rendition peaked at number 38 on the Billboard R&B...
," later a hit for Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
). Perren then moved into the disco arena with the hits Do It Baby
Do It Baby
"Do It Baby" is a 1974 single recorded and released by the Motown R&B group The Miracles and marked the soul quintet's first top forty hit over a year and a half after the departure of the group's most important member, former leader Smokey Robinson and the inclusion of Billy Griffin, who took over...
and Love Machine
Love Machine (The Miracles song)
"Love Machine" is a 1976 number-one single recorded by Motown group The Miracles, taken from their album City of Angels. This single was one of two Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits recorded by The Miracles with Billy Griffin as lead vocalist; the other is 1973's "Do It Baby". Griffin had replaced...
for The Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
. By 1976 Perren would leave Motown and head over to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
where another old college pal, Larkin Arnold, who was now V.P. In the next two years Perren would have success with The Sylvers
The Sylvers
The Sylvers were a popular R&B/soul and disco family group during the 1970s. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, the family would later relocate to Watts, California.- Beginnings :...
producing their first two Capitol albums. They had two gold singles Boogie Fever
Boogie Fever
"Boogie Fever" is the title of a song recorded by Los Angeles, California-based R&B group The Sylvers, from their 1975 album Showcase. Their most lucrative single, it reached number one in the U.S...
& Hot Line and top ten single High School Dance. Also, successful were Tavares where Perren would produce three albums (Sky High!
Sky High! (album)
Sky High! is the fourth album by American soul/R&B group Tavares, released in 1976 on the Capitol label. Their first album with Freddie Perren at the production helm, Sky High! includes R&B-flavored tracks of the kind for which the group had become known via their earlier albums, but is best...
, Love Storm
Love Storm
Love Storm is the fifth album by American soul/R&B group Tavares, and the second to be produced by Freddie Perren, released in 1977 on the Capitol label...
, and Future Bound
Future Bound
Future Bound is the sixth album by American soul/R&B group Tavares, and the third and last to be produced by Freddie Perren, released in 1978 on the Capitol label. Critical reaction, whilst generally positive, tends to the view that Future Bound is one of the group's more lightweight albums...
) including the hits Don't Take Away The Music, Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel
Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel
"Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel" is a disco song written by Freddie Perren and Keni St. Lewis. It was recorded by the New England band Tavares in 1976. The song was released as a single from the album Sky High! and was split into two parts. The first part was 3 minutes and 28 seconds in length,...
and More Than A Woman
More Than a Woman (Bee Gees song)
"More Than a Woman" is a disco song written by the Bee Gees for the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever....
, which was featured in the movie and soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever
Saturday Night Fever
Saturday Night Fever is a 1977 drama film directed by John Badham and starring: John Travolta as Tony Manero, an immature young man whose weekends are spent visiting a local Brooklyn discothèque; Karen Lynn Gorney as his dance partner and eventual friend; and Donna Pescow as Tony's former dance...
. In 1978, Perren signed Peaches & Herb
Peaches & Herb
Peaches & Herb was an American vocalist duo, once comprising Herb Fame and Francine "Peaches" Hurd Barker...
to his production company, MVP Productions. Through him, the duo inked a deal with Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
. Their first Polydor album 2 Hot
2 Hot
2 Hot! is the an album American vocalist duo Peaches & Herb. The album was issued in 1978.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Andrew Hamilton awarded the album 3 stars stating "Disco jams and sweet ballads are featured on Peaches & Herb's return to the charts after a long absence... This new Peaches...
included the gold single and Top five pop and R&B hit Shake Your Groove Thing
Shake Your Groove Thing
"Shake Your Groove Thing" is a song by disco duo Peaches & Herb. It reached #2 for four weeks on the Billboard Disco chart in 1978. The single reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Billboard R&B Chart.-In pop culture:...
as well the number one crossover smash Reunited. 2 Hot went platinum because of those two hits hitting the number two pop spot for six weeks in early 1979. He received two Grammy Awards for his work: the 1979 Grammy Award for Album of the Year
Grammy Award for Album of the Year
The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is the most prestigious award category at the Grammys. It has been awarded since 1959 and though it was originally presented to the artist alone, the award is now presented to the artist, the producer, the engineer and/or mixer and the mastering engineer...
as a producer on the Saturday Night Fever
Saturday Night Fever
Saturday Night Fever is a 1977 drama film directed by John Badham and starring: John Travolta as Tony Manero, an immature young man whose weekends are spent visiting a local Brooklyn discothèque; Karen Lynn Gorney as his dance partner and eventual friend; and Donna Pescow as Tony's former dance...
soundtrack, and the Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording
Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording
The Grammy Award for Best Disco Recording was an award presented at the 22nd Grammy Awards in 1980. The Grammy Awards, an annual ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, are presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United...
in 1980 (the only time it was awarded) for Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" , "Never Can Say Goodbye" , "Let Me Know " and "I Am What I Am" .-Early career:Gaynor was a singer with the Soul...
's "I Will Survive." Peaches & Herb
Peaches & Herb
Peaches & Herb was an American vocalist duo, once comprising Herb Fame and Francine "Peaches" Hurd Barker...
follow-up Twice the Fire went gold and yielded the singles We've Got Love, Roller Skate Mate (Part 1), and I Pledge My Love. Perren last worked with New Edition
New Edition
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
in the 1986 on their Under the Blue Moon
Under the Blue Moon
Under the Blue Moon is a tribute album released by R&B group New Edition on the MCA label on October 10, 1986 . Their fourth album and third with MCA and first album after New Edition member Bobby Brown was voted out of the group, the group was going through a transitional phase during this period....
album, but by the end of the decade he was largely inactive as a writer and producer. In 1993, Perren suffered a massive stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
. He died 11 years later at the age of 61 in his home in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. He is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills)
Forest Lawn – Hollywood Hills Cemetery is part of the Forest Lawn chain of Southern California cemeteries. It is at 6300 Forest Lawn Drive in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California, on the lower north slope at the far east end of the Santa Monica...
.