Richard Perry, one of the most influential and celebrated record producers of the 1970s and 1980s, passed away on December 24, in a Los Angeles hospital. He was 82 years old. The cause of death was reported as cardiac arrest, according to close friend Daphna Kastner Keitel.
Perry, renowned for his impeccable production style, was behind some of the most iconic hits of the era, including Harry Nilsson’s “Without You” and Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain.” Both tracks reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and garnered Grammy nominations for Record of the Year. These songs epitomized Perry’s signature approach—immaculate, powerful, and precise.
His impressive catalog also includes Leo Sayer’s “When I Need You,” which topped the Hot 100, and Burton Cummings’ “Stand Tall,” a top 10 hit in 1977. Over the course of his career, Perry produced more than 30 top 20 hits on the Hot 100.
Perry’s impact extended beyond these classics, helping shape Barbra Streisand’s bold foray into pop music with her rendition of Laura Nyro’s “Stoney End” and producing a string of hits for The Pointer Sisters, including the anthemic “I’m So Excited” and “Jump (For My Love).”
Richard Perry’s legacy as a master producer and influential force in the music industry remains unparalleled.
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