Snuff Garrett
b. Thomas Garrett, c.1939, Dallas, Texas, USA. Producer Garrett was largely responsible for the rise of the Los Angeles-based Liberty label. In 1960 he astutely transformed Johnny Burnette from rockabilly singer to pop crooner and while purists baulked at this new direction, both Dreamin' and You're Sixteen enjoyed sales in excess of one million. Garrett then began a fruitful partnership with Bobby Vee and, drawing material from Don Kirshner's Aldon publishing house, produced a series of polished, highly commercial singles, including Take Good Care Of My Baby and Run To Him (both 1961). He also embarked on a concurrent recording career and, as Tommy Garrett, was responsible for several MOR albums. The artist subsequently supervised releases by Gary Lewis And The Playboys, many of which were arranged by the prolific session player Leon Russell, who joined Garrett at the newly formed Viva label during the mid-'60s. Although not prolific, the venture did release cult favourite A TRIP DOWN SUNSET STRIP by the Leathercoated Minds, an ad hoc group which included J.J. Cale. Garrett later retired from music, but emerged the following decade to work with Sonny And Cher before resuming his low-profile.