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Welcome
to
Jeff Barry: The Man and His
Music
Songwriter
and Producer for legendary rock 'n' roll acts including The Crystals, The Ronettes, The Shangri-Las,
The Monkees,
The Archies, and many others
Head on over to the official Alyce Faye Cleese website to listen to Alyce's audio interview with Jeff Barry, which was originally broadcast on WZSB (1290AM) in
August of 2007
Open Letter to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
Please check out the YouTube player on the Videos Page!
The Jeff Barry Group on YouTube - showcasing
videos that feature music written and/or produced by Jeff.
My essay,
Mr. Music Man: A Glimpse
Into the Life and Career of Jeff Barry, is on the Spectropop site; just click on the link above!
Please click on the
banner below to learn about Yuwie, the free social networking site (similar to MySpace) that pays its users. If you
decide to join Yuwie, please do so through this link, and then start inviting your friends so that they, and you, can begin
earning money!
The Archies' first album - on CD!
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Jeff Barry
has been a major force in the music business since rock and roll's Golden Era, when New York's Brill Building churned out
young talent and hit records by the dozens . . . when girl groups in miniskirts and teased beehive hairdos were all the
rage, and when rock and roll music was actually melodic, with lyrics young people could understand and relate to.
Jeff
Barry's first Top Ten song was "Tell Laura I Love Her." Ray Peterson recorded it, and the
song reached #7 on the U.S. Billboard charts in 1960, instantly propelling Jeff Barry to the status of hit songwriter.
Barry would go on to write dozens of hit songs for artists such as Darlene Love, The
Crystals, The Ronettes, The Shangri-La's, The
Dixie Cups, Bobby Bloom, Andy Kim, Tommy
James and The Shondells, Manfred Mann, The Beach Boys, and Olivia Newton-John. He'd work alongside the likes of Jerry Leiber,
Mike Stoller, Don Kirshner and Phil Spector.
He'd produce for artists such as Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield, The Drifters, The McCoys, Sha-Na-Na, John
Travolta, Lisa Hartman Black, The Monkees, and The
Archies. He'd compose for movies (The Idolmaker), television ("The
Jeffersons," "Family Ties") and Broadway (The Boy from Oz).
This
web site is a loving tribute to one of the most successful and prolific writer/producers in the history of popular music.
Don "Stuffed Animal" Charles (who researched and compiled the biography and musical credits on the following pages) and Laura
"Pineapple Princess" Pinto crafted this gift to the man we call The Godfather of Rock and Roll. From "I
Honestly Love You" (composer) to "I'm a Believer" (producer) to "Sugar,
Sugar" (both) . . . from pop songs with simple lyrics and simple melodic lines to country/western, gospel and
reggae. . . to the joyful sounds of hands clapping, the frenzied shaking of tambourines and the infectious rhythms of a steel
drum . . . Jeff Barry's role in 20th century music cannot be overstated, and his influence in our everyday lives is indisputable.
DISCLAIMER: While a fair amount of the content presented here was
compiled expressly for this site, we have also included essays on Jeff Barry that have been previously published (in
magazines and/or on web sites), as well as some material that had been written in contemplation of publication. Although all
material has been exhaustively researched and to the best of our knowledge is factually accurate, the opinions expressed therein
do not necessarily reflect those of Jeff Barry or Jeff Barry International. All the content on this site is presented for
information and entertainment purposes only.
Bear Family Records presents Tell Laura
I Love Her, a collection of Ray Peterson's RCA and Dunes
masters. Included on the 31-track CD are two composed by Jeff Barry - the title cut, "Tell Laura I Love Her," Jeff's first
hit as a songwriter; and "Give Us Your Blessings," which was later recorded by The Shangri-La's. Ray's emotional renditions
of both songs will move all but the most jaded listeners to tears! The digipac includes a 44-page booklet featuring a biography
by Johnny
Vallis (generously sprinkled with
quotes from Jeff and from Ray's widow, Claudia Peterson); rare photos; and a discography by Richard Weize.
Check out the Jeff Barry Blog
Stop by the message board - connect with other fans of Jeff Barry's wonderful music!
To join the official Jeff Barry discussion forum on Yahoo Groups, click on the link below.
Click to join jeffbarry
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