Trigger warning: This article contains references to a person’s death.
Richard Perry, the music producer behind timeless hits like Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain, has died at the age of 82. Perry died Tuesday in Los Angeles after cardiac arrest, according to the Associated Press.
A pioneer in the music industry, Perry worked with some of the biggest names in the 1970s and beyond. His contributions in this field have earned him widespread accolades, including the prestigious GRAMMY Trustees Award in 2015.
Richard Perry’s career skyrocketed in the 1970s, during which he worked with such legendary artists as Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Art Garfunkel, Carly Simon, and Ringo Starr. One of his standout achievements was producing Simon’s iconic track, You’re So Vain, which remains a classic to this day.
In the late 1970s, Perry launched her own record label, Planet Records. Under this label, he signed successful acts such as The Kratons, Pointer Sisters and Billy Thermal. Planet Records grew in popularity until Perry sold it to RCA Records in 1983.
Throughout her career, Perry continued to work with renowned artists including Donna Summer, Julio Iglesias, Neil Diamond, Randy Travis, and Rod Stewart. He is credited as producer of Stewart’s album It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook.
In recent years, Perry has faced health problems. According to TMZ, Perry’s personal assistant, Ben McCarthy, revealed that the producer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This condition significantly impacted his ability to communicate verbally. Despite these challenges, Perry’s influence on the music industry remained undeniable.
Perry’s contributions were formally recognized when she received the Grammy Trustees Award in 2015 for Outstanding Work in Music Recording. His achievements continue to resonate among artists and fans alike.
Perry’s death has left a void among those who knew him personally and professionally. His close friend actress Daphna Kastner paid tribute to Perry, calling him her father’s friend.
He shared, “He spent maximum time here. He was generous, funny, sweet and made the world a better place. The world here is a little less sweet without him. But in heaven it’s a little sweeter.”
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