Ron Miller (songwriter) facts for kids

Ronald Norman Miller (October 5, 1932 – July 23, 2007) was an American songwriter and record producer. He wrote many popular songs for Motown artists in the 1960s and 1970s. Many of his songs became Top 10 hits. Some, like "For Once in My Life", are still famous today.

Who Was Ron Miller?

Ron Miller was born Ronald Norman Gould in Chicago. His father died when he was young. Later, his mother married Joe Miller, and Ron took his stepfather's last name.

Before becoming a songwriter, Ron served in the U.S. Marines. He also sold washing machines. One day, Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, discovered Ron playing music in a bar.

How Ron Miller Started at Motown

In the early 1960s, Berry Gordy and Motown executive Mickey Stevenson invited Ron to write songs for their new company, Motown. This was a big chance for him.

Writing "For Once in My Life"

The night Ron Miller's daughter Angel was born, he wrote the words for "For Once in My Life". Orlando Murden wrote the music. Barbara McNair first recorded the song for Motown. Later, Stevie Wonder recorded a more upbeat version.

Stevie Wonder's version became a huge and lasting hit. It is one of the most recorded songs in pop history. More than 270 different artists have recorded it. In 2007, Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder won a Grammy Award for their version.

Ron Miller's Hits with Stevie Wonder

Ron Miller worked with composer Bryan Wells on other hit songs for Stevie Wonder. These include "A Place in the Sun" and "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday". They also wrote the holiday song "Someday at Christmas". Many artists, like Justin Bieber, have covered this song.

In 2015, Stevie Wonder sang "Someday at Christmas" as a duet with Andra Day. Parts of their song were used in an Apple TV commercial.

Ron Miller also wrote and composed Stevie Wonder's 1970 hit song "Heaven Help Us All". A version of this song by Ray Charles and Gladys Knight won a Grammy Award in 2005.

Other Famous Songs by Ron Miller

Ron Miller also helped write "Touch Me in the Morning" for Diana Ross in 1973. He also co-wrote "I've Never Been To Me" for Charlene.

He wrote the title song for Walter Jackson's 1977 album, I Want to Come Back As a Song. Ron also wrote the words for "Can't We Try". This song was on Teddy Pendergrass's 1978 album TP. It was also in the 1980 movie Roadie.

Ron Miller's Musicals

In the 1970s, Ron Miller wrote lyrics for several musicals. These included Cherry and Daddy Goodness.

Cherry was a musical version of the play Bus Stop. It started in 1970 but never made it to Broadway. The song "I've Never Been a Woman Before" from Cherry was recorded by Shirley Bassey and Barbra Streisand.

Daddy Goodness was based on a play by Richard Wright. It had problems during its tryouts and closed before reaching Broadway. The song "Hungry" from Daddy Goodness was recorded by Freda Payne and Charlene.

Ron Miller also worked with composer Ken Hirsch on the musical Clothespins and Dreams. This show first opened in 1990 in California.

A Song for His Children

Ron Miller wrote the lyrics for "If I Could" as a special tribute to his own children. He wrote it with Ken Hirsch and Marti Sharron. Celine Dion recorded this song for her 2004 album Miracle.

Many other artists have also covered "If I Could". These include Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Michael Bolton, Regina Belle, and Nancy Wilson. Ron's own daughter, Lisa Dawn Miller, also recorded it on her CD, Fly Away.

Ron Miller passed away on July 23, 2007. He died from cardiac arrest after a long illness.

Ron Miller's Family Life

Ron Miller was married to Aurora Rivera, but they later separated. He had six children: Angel, Lisa, Mark, Debbie, Julie, and Gary. At the time of his death, his companion was Janis Waller. Ron Miller also had seven grandchildren.

Selected Songs by Ron Miller

Here are some of the well-known songs Ron Miller wrote or co-wrote:

• "A Place in the Sun" (Ron Miller, Bryan Wells) – Stevie Wonder, 1966
• "Someday at Christmas" (Ron Miller, Bryan Wells) - Stevie Wonder, 1966
• "For Once in My Life" (Ron Miller, Orlando Murden) – Stevie Wonder, 1968
• "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday" (Ron Miller, Bryan Wells) – Stevie Wonder, 1969
• "Heaven Help Us All" (Ron Miller) – Stevie Wonder, 1970
• "Touch Me in the Morning" (Ron Miller, Michael Masser) – Diana Ross, 1973
• "Don't Burn Down the Bridge" (Ron Miller) - Gladys Knight & the Pips, 1973
• "I Want to Come Back As a Song" (Ron Miller) - Walter Jackson, 1977
• "Can't We Try" (Ron Miller, Ken Hirsch) - Teddy Pendergrass, 1978
• "I've Never Been to Me" (Ron Miller, Ken Hirsch) – Charlene, 1982
• "You Moved A Mountain" (Denzil Miller, Jr., Jermaine Jackson, Ron Miller) - Jermaine Jackson, 1982
• "Put Me On" (Kerry Brothers, Bertram Reid, Woodrow Cunningham, Norman Durham, Ron Miller, Alicia Keys) - Mario, 2002
• "If I Could" (Ron Miller, Ken Hirsch, Marti Sharron) – Celine Dion, 2004

See also

• Stevie Wonder discography