Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 5, 2017

DEAR JERRY: We always hear that so and so "produced" the record, or that an individual (say Phil Spector, or David Foster, etc.) is a "great" producer.

But what exactly is a producer? What are their responsibilities? And what makes some "great?"
—Billy Buxton, San Diego

DEAR BILLY: Music producers often wear many hats, but it's the ten gallon one that's reserved for he or she who is responsible for all phases of the recording session.

The producer may not play or sing, but those doing the recording will work at it until the producer is satisfied.

Studio engineers, soundboard mixers, and other workers are also expected to tinker with the audio, position the equipment, and solve problems. Simply put, do whatever it takes to please the producer.

This is clearly not an entry level position. Most producers honed their craft by first working as sound and studio technicians. Many are also accomplished musicians, such as David Foster, who you mentioned. He is a great pianist. And Phil Spector played guitar and piano on some of his own sessions.

Literally, every decision that affects the success of a recording must be approved by the producer.

The "great" producers — the two you mention, the late Snuff Garrett, and don't forget Sir George Martin — all have one thing in common: countless hit singles and albums. A record producer's degree of greatness is directly proportional to the length of that list.

DEAR JERRY: Around the time of the TV quiz show and radio payola investigations, there was a pop song inspired by these scandals.

By a girl singer, her favorite dee jay disappeared without a word, as if he were arrested, or worse.

I would like the lyrics, but not knowing the title or artist makes that impossible.

Can you help?
—Bonnie Blake, Lexington, Ky.

DEAR BONNIE: If it's any consolation, I don't think you would find the lyrics, even with the correct title, and that is "He Wasn't on the Air Again Today" (Roulette 4213).

We know the vocal is by the Swans, and it was issued in 1959. Unfortunately, the person providing the superb guitar accompaniment is not credited.

Now that you're about to have the lyrics, you'll note there is no mention of payola. There is a reference to fixed TV quiz shows, as best exemplified by "The $64,000 Question."

And to this day, neither the Swans nor anyone else knows what happened to their unnamed, favorite dee jay.

Now you can sing-along to this ice-cold case:

He wasn't on the air again today
And someone said they'd taken him away
I wonder what they're doin' to our favorite dee jay
He wasn't on the air again today

My folks would never let me sit around in my pajamas
Watching horror dramas
And though if I'd confess
At least I had my favorite record show
I tuned in on my radio
Now suddenly my dee jay isn't there

He wasn't on the air again today
And someone said they'd taken him away
I wonder what they're doin' to our favorite dee jay
He wasn't on the air again today

If they investigated all those educated quizzes
With those mental whizzes
Who won a lot of dough
Or let me watch the marshals shootin' guys
Or mystery shows or private eyes
And now they say my dee jay's gotta go

He wasn't on the air again today
And someone said they'd taken him away
I wonder what they're doin' to our favorite dee jay
He wasn't on the air again today

IZ ZAT SO? Phil Spector is an excellent example of a producer who was also an accomplished songwriter.

Here are the tunes he wrote or co-wrote that reached the national Top 50. All were produced by him except these versions of "Chapel of Love"; "Ecstasy"; and "I Can Hear Music."

"Baby, I Love You" - The Ronettes (1963) No. 24
"Be My Baby" - The Ronettes (1963) No. 1
"(The Best Part of) Breakin' Up" - The Ronettes (1964) No. 39
"Chapel of Love" - The Dixie Cups (1964) No. 1
"Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)" - The Crystals (1963) No. 3
"Do I Love You?" - The Ronettes (1964) No. 34
"Ecstasy" - Ben E. King (1962) No. 50
"Hung on You" - The Righteous Brothers (1965) No. 43
"I Can Hear Music" - The Beach Boys (1969) No. 18
"Love Is All I Have to Give" - The Checkmates, Ltd. (1969) No. 45
"Second Hand Love" - Connie Francis (1962) No. 7
"Spanish Harlem" - Ben E. King (1961) No. 9
"Then He Kissed Me" - The Crystals (1963) No. 4
"There's No Other (Like My Baby)" - The Crystals (1962) No. 18
"To Know Him Is to Love Him" - The Teddy Bears (1958) No. 1
"Try Some, Buy Some" - Ronnie Spector (1971) No. 50
"Walking in the Rain" - The Ronettes (1964) No. 20
"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - The Righteous Brothers (1965) No. 1


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