| Jerry Ragovoy | |
| Background: | non_performing_personnel |
| Birth Name: | Jordan Ragovoy |
| Alias: | Norman Meade |
| Birth Date: | 4 September 1930 |
| Birth Place: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genre: | Pop music |
| Occupation: | Songwriter, record producer, studio owner |
| Years Active: | 1953–2003 |
Jordan "Jerry" Ragovoy (September 4, 1930 – July 13, 2011)[1] [2] was an American songwriter and record producer.
His best-known composition "Time Is on My Side" (written under the pseudonym of Norman Meade) was made famous by the Rolling Stones, although it had been recorded earlier by Kai Winding and Irma Thomas. Ragovoy also wrote "Stay With Me", which was originally recorded by Lorraine Ellison and made famous by Bette Midler in her film The Rose. It was also performed by Mary J. Blige at the 49th Grammy Awards.[3]
He also wrote "Piece of My Heart" which became a significant hit for Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring Janis Joplin. During the 1960s, Ragovoy "helped mould the new African-American sound of soul music", according to the obituary in The Guardian.[4] During this venture, he co-wrote the Afro-pop dance song "Pata Pata" with Miriam Makeba; the song became a major hit for Makeba and was covered by numerous other artists.
He was the founder of The Hit Factory.
Ragovoy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of a Hungarian-born Jewish optometrist.[5] He entered record production in 1953 with "My Girl Awaits Me" by the Castelles.[3]
Another well-known song by Ragovoy is "Piece of My Heart", co-written with Bert Berns and recorded originally by Erma Franklin, and later famously covered by Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring Janis Joplin. Between 1966 and 1968, Ragovoy was employed as producer and songwriter for the Warner Bros subsidiary Loma Records. He also co-wrote several songs in Janis Joplin's solo career, including "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)" (originally by Lorraine Ellison on Loma Records), "Cry Baby" (originally by Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters), "Get it While You Can" (originally by Howard Tate, covered by Joplin) and "My Baby". In 1984, Ragovoy written "Tell Me What Can I Do", a duet sung by Crystal Gayle and Hong Kong singer Danny Chan.[6]
Prior to Joplin's death, Ragovoy wrote a song especially for her next album, titled "I'm Gonna Rock My Way to Heaven". The song was never recorded or performed until shortly before Ragovoy's death in July 2011, when it was included in the theatrical production A Night with Janis Joplin, written and directed by Randy Johnson with arrangements and musical direction by Len Rhodes. Ragovoy was in attendance on opening night when the show premiered at Portland Center Stage on 27 May 2011.
Ragovoy also produced recorded work by Bonnie Raitt and Milkwood.[3] However, his involvement in the music industry was less prolific from the 1970s onwards.[3]
In 1968 Ragovoy created and was the original owner of the famous world class recording complex HIT FACTORY STUDIOS in Manhattan hosting numerous well known R&R artists.[7] [8]
In 1973, he won a Grammy Award as producer on Best Score From an Original Cast Show Album, for Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope.[9]
In 1974, Ragovoy teamed up with Dionne Warwick to produce her Then Came You album,[10] which peaked at No. 35 in the US Billboard R&B albums chart.[11]
In 2003, Ragovoy worked again with Howard Tate. The pair returned with an acclaimed CD, Howard Tate Rediscovered, written, arranged and produced by Ragovoy.[12]
In 2008, Ace Records released a compilation album entitled, The Jerry Ragovoy Story: Time Is on My Side.[13]
In 2012, Ragovoy was portrayed by actor Brad Garrett in the film Not Fade Away.[14]
Ragovoy died, following a stroke, on July 13, 2011, at the age of 80.[2]
| Song title | Artist | Others | |
|---|---|---|---|
| "About This Thing Called Love" | |||
| "Ain't Nobody Home" | |||
| "All I Know is the Way I Feel" | |||
| "Anytime You Want Me" | The Who | ||
| "A Wonderful Dream" | The Majors | ||
| "Cloudy with a Chance of Tears" | |||
| "Cry Baby" | Janis Joplin | ||
| "Eight Days on the Road" | |||
| "Either Side of the Same Town" | Elvis Costello | ||
| "Get It While You Can" | Janis Joplin, Chris Cornell | ||
| "Girl Happy" | |||
| "Heart Be Still" | Peter Straker | ||
| "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face" | Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick, Madeline Bell | ||
| "I'll Make It Up to You" | |||
| "I'll Take Good Care Of You" | |||
| "It's Been Such a Long Way Home" | |||
| "It Was Easier to Hurt Her" | Chris Farlowe, Dusty Springfield (Wayne Fontana) | ||
| "Looking for You" | |||
| "Love Makin' Music" | |||
| "Morning Light" (co-writer with Don Benoliel) | Royal Crown Revue | ||
| "Move Me No Mountain" | Hank Crawford, Chaka Khan, Soul II Soul, Love Unlimited | ||
| "My Baby" | |||
| "My Girl Awaits Me" | |||
| "One Way Love" | Bryan Ferry | ||
| "Pata Pata" | |||
| "Piece of My Heart" | Big Brother and the Holding Company, the Brooklyn Bridge, Dusty Springfield, the Move, Bonnie Tyler, Faith Hill, Janis Joplin | ||
| "Ring Bell" | |||
| "Stay with Me" | Sharon Tandy, the Walker Brothers, Bette Midler, Terry Reid, Phil Seymour, Michael Grimm, Ten Wheel Drive, Steve Marriott, Chris Cornell | ||
| "Stop" | James Gang, Jimi Hendrix, Band of Gypsies, Melvins, Super Session (Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield & Stephen Stills) | ||
| "Sure Thing" | |||
| "Tell Me What Can I Do" | Joey Carbone | ||
| "Time Is on My Side" | |||
| "Try (Just a Little Bit Harder)" | |||
| "What's It Gonna Be" | Barbara Acklin | ||
| "What Is Love" | Miriam Makeba | Bojoura, Arhan Tekvar, Monica Zetterlund | |
| "Where Did My Baby Go" | Butterfield Blues Band | ||
| "You Better Believe It" | |||
| "You Don't Know Nothing About Love" | Lorraine Ellison, Renée Geyer, Ryan Shaw, Jill Scott, Mighty Sam McClain, Chris Cornell | ||
| "You Got It" |