Richie Barrett facts for kids

Richard Barrett (born July 14, 1933 – died August 3, 2006) was an American singer, music producer, and songwriter. He was also known as Richie Barrett. He helped shape the sound of rhythm and blues music in New York.

About Richie Barrett's Life

Richard Barrett was born in Philadelphia in 1933. He became a very successful music producer in the 1950s. He was important in creating the unique New York rhythm and blues sound.

Discovering and Managing Talent

Richie Barrett found and helped many famous music groups. These included Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, the Chantels, Little Anthony & the Imperials, the Valentines, and the Three Degrees.

He managed the group The Chantels in the 1950s. Later, he managed the Three Degrees from the early 1960s until the early 1980s. He produced many of their albums. He also led the orchestra during their live concerts.

Richie Barrett as a Singer

As a singer, Richie Barrett is best known for the song "Some Other Guy". He co-wrote this song with famous songwriters Leiber and Stoller.

Barrett was the lead singer for the Valentines from 1954 to 1957. Ronnie Bright, who later joined other famous groups, sang bass with them.

Richie Barrett also helped write other songs. He co-wrote "Be Sure My Love" and "So Much" with Carl Hogan from The Valentines. "So Much" was recorded by Little Anthony & the Imperials.

On The Chantels' song "Maybe" in 1958, Barrett played the piano, bass, and drums. He also produced several of their records.

His Famous Song "Some Other Guy"

Richie Barrett's first single was a cover of "Come Softly to Me" by the Fleetwoods. The Chantels sang backup vocals on this song.

He recorded "Some Other Guy" in 1962. This song was inspired by Ray Charles's "What'd I Say". "Some Other Guy" became very famous when other bands covered it. The Beatles and other groups from Liverpool, England, like the Searchers, performed their own versions.

A video clip of The Beatles performing "Some Other Guy" at the Cavern was shown on TV in 1962. This video has been included in many music collections since then.

Richie Barrett's Legacy

In 1998, actor Ben Vereen played Richie Barrett in the movie Why Do Fools Fall in Love. This film was about the life of Frankie Lymon.

Richie Barrett passed away on August 3, 2006, in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He died from pancreatic cancer.

Richie Barrett's Music

Here are some of the songs Richie Barrett sang or helped create.

Songs by The Valentines

• "Tonight Kathleen" (1954)
• "Lily Maebelle" (1955)
• "I Love You Darling" (1955)
• "Christmas Prayer" (1955)
• "C'est la vie" (1956)
• "Why" (1956)
• "Twenty Minutes Before the Hour" (1956)
• "Nature's Creation" (1956)
• "Don't Say Goodnight" (1957)

Songs by Richie Barrett (Solo)

• "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (1958, as Dickie Barrett)
• "Body and Soul" (1958)
• "Lovely One" (1959)
• "Come Softly to Me" (1959, with the Chantels)
• "Summer's Love" (1959, with the Chantels)
• "Lovable" (1959)
• "Dream On" (1960, as Richard Barrett and the Sevilles)
• "Some Other Guy" (1962, as Richie Barrett)
• "Summer's Love" (1963, as Richie Barrett)
• "I Will Love You" (as Richie Barrett)