Richard Gottehrer

Richard Gottehrer
Born 1940 (age 77–78)
The Bronx, New York. New York City
Alma mater Adelphi University
Occupation Music producer, music executive

Richard Gottehrer (born 1940) is an American songwriter, record producer and record label executive.[1] In 1997, he founded The Orchard, an independent music and video distribution company.

His career began as a Brill Building songwriter in the 1960s. His first number 1 record as a songwriter and producer was "My Boyfriend's Back" followed by other hits like “Hang On Sloopy” by The McCoys and "I Want Candy," eventually leading to the formation of Sire Records in 1966 with Seymour Stein. His career continued as producer for acts such as Blondie, The Go-Go's, Dr. Feelgood, Richard Hell, The Bongos, and the path eventually led him to Orchard Street in 1997.

Personal life

Richard Gottehrer graduated from Taft High School. He pursued a B.A. in History at Adelphi University, and spent one year at Brooklyn Law School before leaving to pursue a career in the music industry. Gottehrer is Jewish.[2]

Career

Gottehrer came to prominence as a songwriter in the 1960s with his most notable songs being "My Boyfriend's Back" and "I Want Candy". As Feldman-Goldstein-Gottehrer (FGG Productions), he wrote various songs including "Sorrow" - also from The McCoys and then David Bowie covered it on his Pin Ups album - with Jerry Goldstein and Bob Feldman. The three were also known as The Strangeloves.

By the 1970s, he had progressed to record production, and was responsible for the debut albums by Blondie and The Go-Go's. Among the other artists produced by Gottehrer were Marshall Crenshaw, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Joan Armatrading, The Fleshtones, The Bongos, Richard Barone, Mental As Anything, Robert Gordon, Link Wray and Dr. Feelgood and short-lived, electro-punk outfit Chiefs of Relief

With Seymour Stein, Gottehrer founded Sire Records in 1966, and in 1997 he founded The Orchard, a digital music distribution company.

In 2010, he produced Dum Dum Girls' debut full-length album I Will Be, and continues producing them to this day. He also joined the 9th annual Independent Music Awards judging panel to assist independent musicians' careers.

On May 5, 2014, Gottehrer received SESAC's "Visionary Award" at the 2014 Pop Music Awards for his 50+ years of achievements in the music industry.[3]

Awards

  • SESAC "Visionary Award" - May 5, 2014

References

  1. ↑ Gone Digital: Music Man Stays in Game
  2. ↑ "Interview: Chris Stein". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 2 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "Richard Gottehrer on Songwriting, Receiving SESAC's Visionary Award". Billboard.biz. Retrieved 6 May 2014.


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