Teddy randazzo biography
•
The Uptown Soul of Teddy Randazzo
What do we mean when we speak of Uptown Soul? A mixture of early-’60s R&B and lush pop that featured gospel-trained voices, big orchestral arrangements, often a Latin tinge to the rhythm, a hint of girl-group sweetness, and an echo of Broadway craftsmanship in the songwriting, all of it bathed in the neon glow of the city. A kind of grown-up music for teenagers, or possibly vice versa. Its presiding geniuses and their protégés included Burt Bacharach (Dionne Warwick and Lou Johnson ), Jerry Ragovoy (Garnet Mimms and Lorraine Ellison), Bert Berns (Solomon Burke and Barbara Lewis) and Teddy Randazzo, whose work is featured in a new Ace Records compilation called Yesterday Has Gone.
Like Bacharach, Randazzo wrote the melodies, created the arrangements, and produced the records. Other people wrote the words: among his regular collaborators were Bobby Weinstein on Little Anthony and the Imperials’ “I’m on the Outsid
•
Alessandro (Teddy) Randazzo, songwriter, record producer, singer and actor: born May 13 in New York City, 1935 - died November 21, 2003 in Florida.
He began his recording career as vocalist/accordionist with the Three Chuckles, charting with 'Runaround' in 1954, before going solo three years later. In the early years of rock, he co-starred in revues staged by legendary disc jockey Alan Freed, appearing with such artists as Chuck Berry and LaVern Baker.
In the 'teen idol' era, Randazzo hit the charts with 'Little Serenade', 'The Way Of A Clown' and 'Big Wild World'. Subsequent releases like 'You Don't Need A Heart' would find belated favour among soul fans.
Randazzo also had starring roles in such rock films as Hey, Let's Twist, The Girl Can't Help It, Mr. Rock & Roll and Rock, Rock, Rock.
It was as a songwriter and producer, most notably for Little Anthony & the Imperials, that Teddy Randazzo exce
•
TEDDY RANDAZZO (1935 - 2003)
Teen idol turned songwriter supreme
Teddy Randazzo, who composed classic songs such as 'Goin' Out of My Head', 'It's Gonna Take A Miracle' and 'Hurt So Bad', has died in his sleep at his home in Florida. He was 68.
A native of Brooklyn, he was born Alessandro Randazzo into a musical family on May 13, 1935. He began his recording career as vocalist/accordionist with the Three Chuckles, charting with 'Runaround' in 1954, before going solo three years later. In the early years of rock, he co-starred in revues staged by legendary disc jockey Alan Freed, appearing with such artists as Chuck Berry and LaVern Baker. Randazzo also had starring roles in such rock films as Hey, Let's Twist, The Girl Can't Help It, Mr. Rock & Roll and Rock, Rock, Rock. In the 'teen idol' era, Randazzo hit the charts with 'Little Serenade', 'The Way Of A Clown' and 'Big Wild World'. He also recorded as leader of an outfit named Oliver & the T