He was an arranger, composer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist and producer born Glen Dale Spreen who attended the University of Houston from 1961 to 1964.
By March 1966, he was well on his way, arranging “Little Girl Called Sad” for Kathy Clarke on the International Artists label.
Other notable arrangements include “In the Ghetto”, “Kentucky Rain” and “Suspicious Minds” for Elvis Presley, who he arranged for from 1969 until 1973.
His discography is massive, and here are but a few highlights: Come from the Shadows by Joan Baez; Flying Again by the Flying Burrito Brothers; Go for Broke by Iain Matthews; Life Lines by Wayne Carson; Pachelbel Canon & Other Favorites by James Galway; Raised on Rock by Elvis Presley; and, That’s What Friends Are For by Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams.
In 2007, he released Taos Skies, an album of his own songs, which he performed with Gary Clark.
He passed away in Cedar Park, Texas, after a short illness in 2016 when he was 73 years old.
Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams recordings
Emotion (Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb)
S CBS 6164B (UK 45)
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