Jeff Barry
b. 3 April 1938, Brooklyn, New York, USA. Barry began his music career as a singer, completing several singles for RCA and Decca Records between 1959 and 1962. He also enjoyed concurrent success as a songwriter, most notably with Tell Laura I Love Her, a US Top 10 hit for Ray Peterson and a UK number 1 for Ricky Valance. In 1961 Barry was contracted to Trinity Music for whom he completed over 100 compositions and gained valuable experience in arranging, producing and recording demos. Although Jeff collaborated with several partners, his relationship with Ellie Greenwich would prove to be the most enduring. Together they wrote for Leslie Gore (Maybe I Know), the Four Pennies (When The Boy's Happy) and the Exciters/ Manfred Mann (Do Wah Diddy) and, as the Raindrops, recorded a US Top 20 hit, The Kind Of Boy You Can't Forget. However, the couple, who were now married, are best recalled for their classic work with Phil Spector which included the joyous Da Doo Ron Ron and Then He Kissed Me for the Crystals, Be My Baby and Baby, I Love You for the Ronettes and the monumenal River Deep Mountain High for Ike And Tina Turner. Greenwich and Barry also wrote, and co-produced, releases on the Red Bird label for the Dixie Cups, Shangri-Las and Jelly Beans. It was also during this period that the duo ‘discovered’ Neil Diamond, whose early work they produced, but despite this professional commitment, their marriage ended in 1965. Barry then resumed his recording career with singles for United Artists and A&M, but achieved a greater degree of success in partnership with singer Andy Kim, writing, producing and performing for the Archies’ cartoon series. The work with Greenwich has rightly stood the test of time having reached the pinnacle of stylish pop music during the '60s.