BIRMINGHAM RECORD COLLECTORS
DEDICATED TO THE COLLECTING OF MUSIC, ITS PRESERVATION AND LASTING FRIENDSHIP
THIS MONTH’S MEETING WILL BE THE SECOND SUNDAY, JUNE 8TH 2:00 PM
HOMEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY 1721 OXMOOR RD BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
NEXT MONTH’S MEETING WILL BE HELD THE SECOND SUNDAY, JULY 13 AT 2:00 PM
HOMEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY 1721 OXMOOR RD BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
THIS MONTH’S MEETING
Last month we had a great time at the Mustang Museum of America. We saw 124 Mustangs of all types, styles and colors including one that would change colors as you walked around it. I believe the poster said it had about 12 coats of paints and finish. Thanks to Bobby Powell for his hospitality during our visit. If you missed it it will be worth checking out. For info go to https://mustangmuseumofamerica.com/
This month we will have our Group Harmony expert back with us to play some sounds and tell stories about the songs, artists and labels. BRC club member and BRC Music Hall Of Fame member Bob Friedman will be the DJ and speaker. If you’ve been to a meeting when Bob played the music he has a passion for you know how good it is. Don’t miss it.
BRC’S 40TH ANNUAL RECORD SHOW
We look forward to another successful show and as time goes on we will be asking for your help in making this type of project happen. Without your help and support each year could be our last show. We are always looking for IT help, help at the door during the show and any ideas in advertising among other things that have to get done. Show dates and time are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, August 15-17. Friday, members only from 10AM – 2PM and the public from 2PM – 7PM. Saturday 9AM – 5PM and Sunday 10AM – 4PM.
ANOTHER UNAPPRECIATED MUSIC PIONEER
As time goes by and things change including the music we listen to some of the once well-known shakers and makers are slowly forgotten. There are some who will always be remembered, written about and played such as Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors and Bob Dylan. In this piece I wanted to bring up someone who was a songwriter, producer and record label owner that I think needs to have his contributions to the 1960’s music scene highlighted. Unfortunately the man died at age 38 in 1967 but what he did in 7 years in the business is amazing.
Does the name Bertrand Russell Berns, aka Bert Berns, Bert Russell or Russell Bryd ring a bell? If you were around in the sixties I am 100% sure you heard his songs and music being played over the air waves. Before I get into the songs he gave us let me give a little of his background.
Bertrand Berns was born Nov 8, 1929 in The Bronx, New York City to Russian-Jewish immigrants. He developed rheumatic fever as a child which damaged his heart causing a life full of health issues and resulting in his early death on Dec 30, 1967. Growing up he enjoyed music and was influenced by the what he heard from his Black and Latino neighbors. He would dance in mambo nightclubs and even made his way to Havana before the Cuban Revolution. This influence will be expressed in the songs he wrote as you are about to see.
In 1960 Berns signed with Robert Mellin Music located in the famous Brill Building and began his short career in the music business as a songwriter. His first charted record was ‘A Little Bit Of Soap’ recorded by The Jarmels in 1961. It just so happens that that record was one of my favorites growing up. But like most young kids at that time I was not concerned about who wrote or produced it. Also that year Berns co-wrote ‘Twist And Shout’ with Phil Medley. That song was first recorded by The Top Notes and then came to light, and boy did it when the Isley Brothers recorded it. It went to #17 on the pop charts and #2 on the R&B charts and is in the Grammy Hall Of Fame. A couple of years later The Beatles would record it as well and it too took off going to #2 on the pop charts.
In 1962 Berns wrote a song quite different than some of his others that was a hit for The Exciters. ‘Tell Him’ would go to #4 on the pop charts and #5 on the R&B charts. Their version is ranked as #95 on the list of Billboard’s Top 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. Kenny Loggins did a cover of the song in 1989 and it charted at #76. Also in 1962 Berns wrote what has to be one of my favorites of all time, ‘Cry To Me’. It was recorded by Solomon Burke and it would go to #44 on the pop charts and #5 on the R&B charts. The Rolling Stones would do a cover of the song and include it on the Out Of Our Heads LP. And what a version that is. Some say ‘Cry To Me’ is “one of the first to unify country, gospel and R&B in one package.” The song is used in the movies Dirty Dancing and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. If you haven’t seen the U.N.C.L.E. Scene where it is used, check it out.
Included in his 1962 hit songs was ‘If I Didn’t Have A Dime (To Play The Jukebox)’ which was recorded by Gene Pitney. The song would go to #58 on the pop charts. In 1963 Berns keep going with his soulful spirit in songs with ‘Cry Baby’ a #34 pop chart hit and the #1 song on the R&B chart for Garnet Mimms. Janis Joplin recorded the song and it was included on her posthumously released Pearl LP. Her version made it to #42 on the pop charts. 1963 was a big year for Berns. He replaced Leiber & Stoller at Atlantic Records as their staff producer. He would produce hits for Solomon Burke (‘Everybody Needs Somebody To Love’), The Drifters (‘Under The Boardwalk’ and ‘Saturday Night At The Movies’) and Barbara Lewis (‘Baby I’m Yours’ and ‘Make Me Your Baby’). He also produced hits for Ben E. King, Wilson Pickett and LaVern Baker while at Atlantic.
As a producer, Berns would become the first American producer to travel to London at the beginning of the British Invasion. Traveling to England 3 times between 1964 and 1965 he produced ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’ by Them and he wrote and produced ‘Here Come The Night’ recorded by Lulu and Them.
With all the hit songs Berns wrote and produced what else is left? How about starting your own record label. Together with Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler, all Atlantic Record label executives Berns was part of the BANG Record Label founders. The name of the label came from all the investers. Bert, Ahmet, Nesuhi and Gerald. Hits like ‘I Want Candy’ by The Strangeloves, ‘Hang On Sloopy’ by The McCoys, ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ by Van Morrison and ‘Solidary Man’ and ‘Kentucky Woman’ by Neil Diamond came on this label.
Well, maybe now we have all heard of Bertrum Russell Berns, aka Bert Berns, Bert Russell. What a great bunch of records he was responsible for. To think that a first generation Russian with Jewish heritage would give us some of the best soul, pop, rock and just some of the fun music of the early and mid-60’s seems unthinkable. To produce songs like his is one thing but to write what he wrote just floors me. In 2016 Berns was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame as a non-performer. So now when you think about such songwriters as Leiber & Stoller, Buck Ram, Pompus & Shuman, King & Goffin or Dave Bartholomew don’t forget about Bert Berns. And all this he did in 7 short years.
See ya,
Charlie