From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Fri Nov 8, 2002  6:15 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Bert Berns
 
BERT BERNS

Born Bertrand Berns, 8 November 1929, The Bronx, New York City
Died 30 December 1967, New York City, New York

Songwriter, producer.
Bert Berns was responsible for some of urban, 'uptown'-soul's most
treasured moments. He began his career as a record salesman,
before being drawn into a new role as copywriter and session pianist.
After releasing a few obscure singles as a singer (as Russell Byrd),
Berns began composing, using the pseudonym Bert Russell, and
in 1960 formed a partnership with Phil Medley. Berns' first major hit
as a solo writer came with "A Little Bit Of Soap" by the Jarmels (# 12
in 1961), which was covered by Jimmy Justice for the British market.
Then came the Bert Russell / Phil Medley composition "Twist And
Shout", originally recorded by the Top Notes but later transformed into
an anthem by the Isley Brothers and the Beatles. Bert's next important
step came when in 1963 he replaced the team of Leiber and Stoller as
the Drifters' writer/producer. Now firmly in place at the Atlantic label, he
was involved with several other artists including Ben E. King, Solomon
Burke and Barbara Lewis. Berns also forged a partnership with Jerry
Ragavoy which included stellar work for Garnet Mimms ("Cry Baby")
and Lorraine Ellison, plus "Piece Of My Heart" which was recorded by
Erma Franklin and later on by Janis Joplin. A spell in Britain resulted in
sessions with Them and Lulu.
Berns returned home to inaugurate the Bang and Shout labels, with Jerry
Wexler and the Erteguns, Bang being an acronym of Bert, Ahmet, Nesuhi
and Gerald (Wexler). During its 3-year existence, Bang was very successful
with The McCoys ("Hang On Sloopy"** topped the Billboard charts in 1965),
The Strangeloves ("I Want Candy"), Neil Diamond and Van Morrison. Shout
was responsible for several excellent soul releases by Roy C, Bobby Harris,
Erma Franklin and Freddy Scott.
Berns died much too soon, from a heart attack in a New York hotel room
on 30 December 1967. His widow sold the Bang masters to CBS in 1969.

** "Hang On Sloopy" was co-written by Berns as "My Girl Sloopy" and first
recorded by the Vibrations on Atlantic (# 26 in 1964).

More info: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/09/20/224347.php