Songwriter. He was a talented lyricist-composer, best known for co-writing with Jeff Silbar the international Grammy song of the year winning hit, “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1988). Before turning to songwriting, he was the falsetto singer with the trio “The Newbeats”, which had the novelty Top-10 hit, “Bread and Butter” (1964). Through the mid to late 1960s, the group toured with many name artist of the era to include “Gerry & the Pacemakers”, “Kinks”, “Dave Clark Five”, “Supremes”, “Marvin Gaye” and “The Rolling Stones”. Drawn to songwriting, he moved to Nashville, where he composed number one hits for Tammy Wynette with "Til I Get It Right” (1972), Tanya Tucker’s “Lizzie and the Rainman” (1975), Janie Fricke’s “He’s a Heartache Looking for a Place to Happen” (1983), Randy Travis’ “Is It Still Over” (1989) and many more. His Grammy tune “Wind Beneath My Wings”, has been also recorded by Gary Morris, Judy Collins, Perry Como, Floyd Cramer, Sheena Easton, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Patti LaBelle, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, B.J. Thomas, James Galway, Lee Greenwood and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. In 2012, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He died at age 77 from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Songwriter. He was a talented lyricist-composer, best known for co-writing with Jeff Silbar the international Grammy song of the year winning hit, “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1988). Before turning to songwriting, he was the falsetto singer with the trio “The Newbeats”, which had the novelty Top-10 hit, “Bread and Butter” (1964). Through the mid to late 1960s, the group toured with many name artist of the era to include “Gerry & the Pacemakers”, “Kinks”, “Dave Clark Five”, “Supremes”, “Marvin Gaye” and “The Rolling Stones”. Drawn to songwriting, he moved to Nashville, where he composed number one hits for Tammy Wynette with "Til I Get It Right” (1972), Tanya Tucker’s “Lizzie and the Rainman” (1975), Janie Fricke’s “He’s a Heartache Looking for a Place to Happen” (1983), Randy Travis’ “Is It Still Over” (1989) and many more. His Grammy tune “Wind Beneath My Wings”, has been also recorded by Gary Morris, Judy Collins, Perry Como, Floyd Cramer, Sheena Easton, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Patti LaBelle, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, B.J. Thomas, James Galway, Lee Greenwood and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus. In 2012, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He died at age 77 from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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