Paul Riser facts for kids

Paul Riser was born on September 11, 1943. He is an American trombonist and a Motown musical arranger. This means he played the trombone and helped create the music for many hit songs. He was part of a special group of musicians called the "Funk Brothers". These musicians played on almost all of Motown's famous songs. Even though they helped make so many hits, their names were not always as well-known as the singers. Paul Riser helped write and arrange many songs that became top ten hits.

Paul Riser's Early Music Career

Paul Riser went to Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. There, he studied how to play the trombone in both classical and jazz styles. A friend who worked at Motown Records introduced him to Berry Gordy, who founded Motown.

Paul Riser then became a trombonist for Motown Records. He played on many of their hit songs from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. Back then, Motown did not list the names of the musicians who played on their records. So, Paul Riser was often not given credit for his work.

He helped arrange many famous songs, including:

• "My Girl" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" by The Temptations
• "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
• "If I Were Your Woman" by Gladys Knight & the Pips
• "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" by Diana Ross
• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Diana Ross
• "The Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Paul Riser even won a Grammy Award for his work on the song "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone." He won it with Norman Whitfield for Best R&B Instrumental Performance. He also helped write Jimmy Ruffin's hit song "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted".

Paul Riser's Later Music Career

After working with Motown for 11 years, Paul Riser started working with other record companies. He arranged music for many other famous artists, such as:

• Luther Vandross
• Phil Collins
• The Carpenters
• Carly Simon
• The Doobie Brothers
• Tom Jones
• Quincy Jones
• Natalie Cole
• Aretha Franklin
• Roberta Flack
• Michael McDonald
• Johnny Mathis
• Mary J. Blige
• Patti LaBelle

In 1996, Paul Riser arranged and conducted the strings for "I Believe I Can Fly". This song was written and performed by R&B singer R. Kelly and also won a Grammy Award. In 2003, Paul Riser also worked on R. Kelly's album, "Chocolate Factory". He arranged many songs on that album, including the top 10 hit, "Step in the Name of Love".

In 2009, Paul Riser was honored and added to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. He also attended the Motown 50th anniversary celebration. He is still active in music, teaching and arranging.

When asked about his favorite musical arrangement, he said it was Diana Ross's version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". He arranged this song in 1970.

Paul Riser's Album Work

Paul Riser worked on many albums throughout his career. Here are some of them:

• Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations LP (1968)
• Soul Spin LP by The Four Tops (1969)
• Signed, Sealed & Delivered LP by Stevie Wonder (1970)
• Naturally Together LP by The Originals (band) (1970)
• Natural Resources LP by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas (1970)
• Great Expectations LP by Kiki Dee (1970)
• War and Peace LP by Edwin Starr (1970)
• The Return of the Magnificent Seven LP by The Supremes & The Four Tops (1971)
• If I Were Your Woman LP by Gladys Knight & the Pips (1971)
• One Dozen Roses LP by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1971)
• Surrender by Diana Ross (1971)
• Exposed LP by Valerie Simpson (1971)
• Floy Joy LP by The Supremes (1972)
• All Directions LP by The Temptations (1972)
• Neither One Of Us LP by Gladys Knight & The Pips (1973)
• Masterpiece LP by The Temptations (1973)
• All I Need Is Time LP by Gladys Knight & The Pips (1973)
• Diana & Marvin LP by Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye (1973)
• Eddie Kendricks LP by Eddie Kendricks (1973)
• Share My Love LP by Gloria Jones (1973)
• Everybody Likes Some Kind of Music - LP by Billy Preston (1973)
• Syreeta LP by Syreeta and Stevie Wonder (1974)
• Love Trip LP by Tamiko Jones (1975)
• I Want You (Marvin Gaye album) - LP by Marvin Gaye (1976)
• Look Out for #1 LP by The Brothers Johnson (1976)
• Any Way You Like It LP by Thelma Houston (1976)
• Keep It Comin' LP by Valerie Simpson (1977)
• Shake It Well LP by The Dramatics (1977)
• Who's Zoomin' Who? LP by Aretha Franklin (1985)
• In Square Circle LP by Stevie Wonder (1985)
• Anomie & Bonhomie LP by "Scritti Politti" (1999)