Gary Klein (producer)

Gary Klein (born September 28, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American songwriter and record producer. In 1962, while receiving a D in piano composition for incorrect fingering, he co-wrote the hit record "Bobby’s Girl".^[1] While continuing to write songs for artists such as Dusty Springfield, Klein became more interested in producing records.

In 1968, Klein produced Tim Hardin 3 Live in Concert. In 1969, Klein produced the Hardin album Suite for Susan Moore and Damion: We Are One, One, All in One.

In 1974, Klein was supervisor and co-mastered Mott The Hoople Live for Columbia Records.

In 1974, Mac Davis, while working on a new album wrote the song "Stop and Smell the Roses". This was a phrase Doc Severinsen had mentioned to Davis who co-credited Doc as writer of the song. However, the song was not proving an easy recording and as a young record producer Klein was asked by Columbia if he'd like to give it a shot at recording the song. Thus, the song was demo recorded by two producers. Ultimately the Klein version won out. It went to #1 on Billboard Magazine's adult contemporary charts and was a top 10 pop hit.

In 1975, Klein recorded Johnny Cash's album John R. Cash. In an attempt to try something new and revive his career the "Columbia bosses" wanted Cash to record other people's material, covers. It did not prove successful. Cash later blamed it on the "bosses," finding no fault in the production. He mentioned he'd work again with Klein down the line.

In 1976-1977, Klein began working with Glen Campbell. This resulted in the pop and country #1 hit "Southern Nights". Upon Campbell's crossover to the pop charts, Dolly Parton and RCA Records wondered if he could do the same for her.

In 1977, Klein produced Dolly Parton's classic pop hit album Here You Come Again. It was the first of three albums he'd produce for Parton resulting in country and pop hit records.

In 1976, Barbra Streisand had just won an Academy Award for her song "Evergreen".

Klein began working with Streisand in 1977 on Streisand Superman (he is the only record producer to record three full albums with her). "My Heart Belongs to Me" hit #1 on the adult contemporary charts and #4 on Billboard's top 100.

In 1978, Streisand's Songbird album was released. It proved another double platinum album and at this point, Streisand was doing an album a year with Klein.

In 1979-80 Klein produced Streisand's Wet album. This included the #1 single "Enough is Enough", a smash-hit duet with Donna Summer, which in its own way was the end of the disco era.

In 1983 Klein produced Stephanie Mills' Merciless album which included songs written by Prince and Luther Vandross. The album was nominated for best vocal performance by a female artist.

Gary Klein has also worked with many artists, including soundtracks to films such as Eyes of Laura Mars (Jane Fonda), The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper, Annie, Barbra Streisand (Streisand Superman, Songbird, Wet), Glen Campbell ("Southern Nights", "Has the World Gone Crazy"), Dolly Parton (Here You Come Again, Heartbreaker, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly), Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Rita Coolidge, Tanya Tucker, Judy Collins, Janis Ian, BJ Thomas, The Marshall, Tucker Band, Liza Minnelli, Roger Miller, Tim Hardin, Charlie Daniels Band, Mac Davis, Gladys Knight, Cheryl Ladd, Nan Mouskouri, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, David Steinberg, Ronnie Spector, The Weather Girls, Aileen Quinn, Stephanie Mills, Samantha Sang, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band,The Osmond Brothers, Jerry Vale, Lynn Anderson, Jessi Colter, Engelbert Humperdinck.

After Klein stopped producing records he began a 20-year career as an executive at EMI Music Publishing.

References

External links

• Interview with Gary Klein on producing Barbra Streisand: http://barbra-archives.com/bjs_library/interview/gary_klein.html