RUPERT HOLMES

Rupert Holmes: the storyteller

Rupert Holmes has spent his whole career telling stories, in three-minute pop songs, Broadway musicals, murder mysteries and novels. Few writers have moved between so many genres, and fewer still have done it with so much wit.

He was born David Goldstein in Northwich, Cheshire, on 24 February 1947, the son of an American bandleader and a Northwich mother. When he was a small boy, the family left for New York, and music was everywhere at home. He went on to study clarinet at the Manhattan School of Music, though it was the piano that really had his heart.

In the late 1960s, he became one of New York’s busiest session musicians, playing, singing, arranging and writing for other artists. He wrote for Gene Pitney, the Platters, the Drifters and The Partridge Family, and played piano for the Cuff Links and the Buoys. His first international hit was “Timothy” for the Buoys in 1971: a cheerful-sounding song about three miners trapped underground, with a famously dark twist. It was an early sign of what he does best: a song with a plot, and a sting in the tail.

His debut album, Widescreen, arrived in 1974. The album landed with Barbra Streisand. She recorded his songs, then asked him to arrange, conduct and write for her album Lazy Afternoon. He went on to work on five more of her albums, and contributed songs to A Star Is Born. Rolling Stone even compared his second album to Bob Dylan.

Then came 1979, and Partners in Crime. One track was a story about a bored couple, a newspaper personal ad and a surprise meeting in a bar. “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” became the last number one of the 1970s in America. It also went to number one in Canada, and became a hit around the world. He followed it with “Him”, another top-ten hit, and “Answering Machine”.

Behind the scenes, he produced records for Sparks, Lynsey de Paul and the British band Sailor. His song “You Got It All” was a top-three hit for the Jets, and was later recorded by Britney Spears. His songs have also been sung by Barry Manilow, Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton and Judy Collins

There is so much more about Rupert Holmes and his prolific career - to read more visit Rupertholmes.com