Kerr, Richard (14th December 1944-8th December 1923)

English singer-songwriter and pianist born in Bedford, England, who was perhaps best known for writing the music to “Mandy” which Barry Manilow took to No. 1 on January 18, 1975. Its original title was “Brandy” and was a moderate hit for Richard’s co-writer, the lyricist Scott English. The name was changed for its American overhaul when Looking Glass charted with “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)”.

He also supplied, with the help of frequent collaborator Will Jennings, Barry’s third No. 1, “Looks Like We Made It”, which topped the charts on July 23, 1977.

Kerr released three solo albums in the ’70s: From Now Until Then (1973), an eponymously titled follow-up in 1976, and Welcome to the Club in 1978.

It was more for his contributions to other artists that he was known, however, including Dionne Warwick’s Grammy-winning “I’ll Never Love This Way Again”, also co-penned by Jennings, and the title track for Warwick’s 1980 release, No Night So Long. His songs have been covered by the likes of Herb Alpert, Glen Campbell, Michael Crawford, Yvonne Elliman, Thomas Jans, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, and Andy Williams.

He and Joan Maitland contributed music to such diverse efforts as the U.K. children’s television programme The Double Deckers and the 1971 horror film The Fiend. A 1997 collaboration with Don Black, “You Stayed Away Too Long”, placed third in the Great British Song Contest.

He died in December 2023 when he was 78 years old.

Johnny Rodriguez recordings
It’s Not The Same Old You (Richard Kerr/Troy Seals)

Sources:

Kerr, Richard (14th December 1944-8th December 1923)

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