|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZHOLMES, Rupert(b Northwich, Cheshire) Singer/songwriter born to Anglo-American parents, father US Infantry bandleader serving in UK. Holmes studied clarinet and composition at Manhattan School of Music, played bass in rock band; by age 20 was sessioning (sang on the Cufflinks' "Tracy', no. 9 hit '69); arr. for Gene Pitney, the Drifters, Platters etc; wrote songs for the Partridge Family and the Buoys. "I made around 300 singles and numerous jingles, yet there was not one that I was proud of.' Also scored films Five Savage Men (western about a gang of rapists), soft-porn Memories Within Miss Aggie. Spent ten weeks in UK doing nothing; returned to USA and signed to Epic for first album Widescreen '74, impressive debut incl. "Second Saxophone', full of references to Swing Era classics. Barbra Streisand liked it, asked him to arr. and prod. her Lazy Afternoon LP using four of his songs; also used his songs in remake of A Star Is Born and LP Superman. Meanwhile came further Holmes LPs Rupert Holmes '75, Singles '77, Pursuit Of Happiness '78, last for short-lived Private Stock label. Other '70s chores incl. prod. LPs for Strawbs, Sailor, Sparks, John Miles; while Manhattan Transfer, Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow, Mac Davis and others covered Holmes's songs. Next LP Partners In Crime '79, again for ill-fated label (Infinity) incl. hits "Escape (The Pina Colada Song)' (no. 1), "Him' (6), "Answering Machine' (36). MCA picked up Infinity, released Adventure '80, which was a relative flop; he switched to Elektra for seventh LP Full Circle '81. Compilation Songwriters For The Stars on Polydor in UK by Jimmy Webb and Holmes. Compilation The Epoch Collection on VarSse Sarabande. |