Mark Chadbourne Online
Jeff Barry
Part 1
Part 1
 Barrry was inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame for good reason. His repetoire of hit songs is stellar in and of itself, but Jeff is a man of many talents. As a producer, Jeff is equally accomplished. Barry produced all the songs and albums up through the "Sunshine" album and the single "Together We Two. Jeff either wrote or co-wrote half of the songs recorded by the Archies. His writing style and ear for arranging was an important factor in the success of the Archies. Jeff Barry was instrumental in many of the classic hits of the 60's. As a songwriter, he penned or co wrote such smash hits as "Tell Laura I Love Her", "Doo Wah Diddy," "Chapel of Love", "Baby I Love You", "Be My Baby", "Leader of the Pack", "Then He Kissed Me", "Hanky Panky", "Chapel of Love", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Then He Kissed Me", "River Deep-Mountain High", "How'd We Ever Get This Way", "Montego Bay", "Heavy Makes You Happy", "Sugar Sugar" "Jingle Jangle", "Lay A Little Lovin' On Me", and "I Honestly Love You". Quite a list of songs! Not only did these songs go gold and hit the Top 5 world over, but they are staples on radio stations and in movies even today! There are TV show themes that Barry wrote or co-wrote which all of us can hum along with and are still being broadcast today: "the Jeffersons," "One Day at a Time", and of course "Archie's Theme" to name just a few. Jeff's talent as a songwriter is matched by his productions in the studio. Jeff produced hundreds of songs, assisted Phil Spector (including the unused "Be My Baby" by John Lennon in the "Rock and Roll" Sessions of 1974-75), helped launch Neil Diamond and Andy Kim into their own recording careers, produced the Monkees biggest hits, and influenced an entire generation of hits. His influence as a writer, arranger, producer and scorer are evident even today. Barry pioneered the double tracked bass line grooves and percussive parts that dominate the sound of today's hip hop, electronica and rave music. He incorporated musical instruments and styles in his productions from around the world long before it was considered fashionable or politically correct. Barry explored music in styles as varied as r&b, pop, country, dance, bubblegum, show tunes, jazz , calypso, latin, rock n roll, and blues. |
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JEFF BARRY TIMELINE, NOTES AND RESEARCH BY MARK CHADBOURNE. © 2000 Mark Chadbourne Online. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PARTS OF THIS INFORMATION MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT EXPRESSLy WRITTEN PRIOR APPROVEMENT. MARK CHADBOURNE EXTENDS A PERSONAL THANK YOU TO RON DANTE FOR ADDITIONAL PROOFS AND FOR PROVIDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM ANDY KIM, JEFF BARRY AND TONI WINE AND TO KEITH DAVIDEIT FOR SHARING HIS RESEARCH IN PREPARATIONS FOR PARTS OF THESE NOTES. |
Singer/Songwriter Era 1958-1962
The story of Jeff's involvement in "the Archies" really starts back in the earrly part of his career as a writer and producer. His professional talents evolved from a songwriter/singer who knew only two chords on guitar, to a solo artist, producer and talent developer. |
Girl Group Era 1963-64
The next two years Jeff reaps the rewards of his hard work and scores hit after hit world wide with song writing partner and wife Ellie Greenwich.  - Barry/Greenwich song "Da Doo Ron Ron" recorded by The Crystals; hits US #5 on Phil Spector's Philles label. - Barry/Greenwich record and Barry produces "What a Guy" as the Raindrops on Red-Bird label; reaches US #41 - Manfred Mann records Barry/Greenwich song "Doo Wah Diddy"; reaches US#5 - Raindrops record "The Kind of Boy You Can't Forget"; reaches US#22 - Raindrops record "That Boy John" backed with "Hanky Panky"; barely breaks the Top 100 US -"The Raindrops" album released on Jubilee label - Barry hires musicians Artie Butler on keyboards, Al Gorgoni as guitarist, Buddy Saltzman and Gary Chester as drummers and Brookes Arthur as recording engineer, and Bobby Bloom as assistant engineer...who remain with Barry through the Monkees, Neil Diamond and join Barry's Steed label - Barry signs on with Trio Publishing owned by Lieber and Stoller - Barry and Greenwich join Lieber and Stoller to form Blue Cat Records and Red Bird Records - Barry/Greenwich tune "Chapel of Love" recorded by the Dixie Cups; reaches US #1 - Barry/Greenwich tunes recorded by Motown, Blue Cat and Red Bird artists: The Shangri-Las, the Bouquets, Steve Rossi, the Dixie Cups, the Crystals, the Jellybeans, Sidney Barnes,and the Butterflies; produced by Barry for Red Bird - Connie Francis records Barry/Greenwich tune "Don't Ever Leave Me"; charts high in Europe and Japan; reaches US #42 - Greenwich hired as background singer and demo singer for Ben Raleigh and Mark Barkan - Barry/Greenwich tune "Leader of the Pack" satired by the Detergents (with Ron Dante) and a copyright infringement lawsuit forces the withdrawl of "Leader of the Laundromat" by Roulette Records.  |
Expansion Phase 1965-1966
Jeff increasingly finds work as a producer and begins to expand his talents, and moves more in the direction of a talent developer for other artists. |
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