Mark Wirtz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mark Wirtz
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Wirtz pictured in Savannah, Georgia, 2007
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Mark Philipp Wirtz
3 September 1943 Strasbourg, France
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| Died | 7 August 2020 (aged 76) |
| Spouse(s) | Amanda Wirtz |
| Partner(s) | Jeff Janning |
Mark Philipp Wirtz (born September 3, 1943 – died August 7, 2020) was a talented German-French artist. He was a record producer, composer, singer, musician, author, and comedian. Mark Wirtz is most famous for his idea of a special music project called A Teenage Opera. He worked on this project at Abbey Road Studios with The Beatles' sound engineer Geoff Emerick. A song from this project, "Excerpt from A Teenage Opera" by Keith West, became a big hit in the UK in 1967. People described his unique music style as "Phil Spector scoring Camberwick Green", which means it was grand and a bit whimsical. Another song he produced, "A Touch of Velvet - A Sting of Brass," became a well-known theme song for a TV show in Germany called Musikladen.
Contents
Mark Wirtz's Life Story
Early Years and Moving to England
Mark Wirtz was born in Strasbourg, France. He grew up in Cologne, Germany. In 1962, when he was 19, he moved to England to start a new chapter.
Starting in Music (1960s)
Mark Wirtz began his music journey while studying art in London. He also studied drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His college band, The Beatcrackers, signed a record deal in 1963. They were known as Mark Rogers and the Marksmen.
By 1965, Wirtz started his own music production company. He worked with famous artists like Marlene Dietrich. In 1966, he wrote and produced "A Touch of Velvet - A Sting of Brass." This orchestral song became very popular on pirate radio stations.
In 1967, Mark Wirtz joined EMI Records as an in-house producer. He worked at Abbey Road Studios, the same place where the Beatles and Pink Floyd recorded. He often worked with engineer Geoff Emerick. Wirtz created important recordings for artists like Keith West and Tomorrow.
He became globally successful with his song "Excerpt from A Teenage Opera" (also known as "Grocer Jack"). This song was recorded by Keith West. The idea of a full rock opera (a story told through rock music) was very new and influential. Even though the full A Teenage Opera was never finished at the time, its concept inspired many musicians.
Mark Wirtz was married to singer Ross Hannaman for a while. They wrote and recorded "Barefoot and Tiptoe" together. After their marriage ended in 1969, Wirtz worked on another concept album called Philwit and Pegasus. In 1969, he left EMI Records to work independently again.
Music in the 1970s
In 1970, Wirtz moved to Los Angeles, USA. He signed a contract with Capitol Records in 1973. He recorded two albums, Balloon and Hothouse Smiles, under the name "Marc Wirtz."
Later, he became a freelance music arranger and conductor. He worked with many producers and created pop, R&B, and country songs. He worked with a variety of artists, including Helen Reddy and Dean Martin.
In 1979, Wirtz started producing his third solo album, Lost Pets. However, he decided to stop working on music to focus on his family. This led to a 20-year break from the music business.
Break from Music
During his break, Mark Wirtz took on many different jobs. He worked as a telemarketer, waiter, and interpreter. He also pursued his dream of becoming a comedian. He studied and performed at comedy clubs in Hollywood, like The Comedy Store.
In 1996, Wirtz moved to Savannah, Georgia. There, he became a successful magazine writer. He also published his first novels, Sisyphus Rocks and Love Is Eggshaped. He even sold his paintings in a local art gallery.
Later Years and Passing
In 2004, Mark Wirtz returned to music production. He produced an album for his daughter's boyfriend's band, Les Philippes, in Spain. Their album became number one on the independent music charts.
After that, Wirtz continued producing music. He created his own solo album, Love Is Eggshaped, and worked with other artists. In 2006, he returned to comedy, performing stand-up in the southeast. In 2010, he produced a new solo album called Lost Pets 2.
Mark Wirtz passed away on August 7, 2020, due to Pick's disease.
