Greg Perry obit

 

GREG PERRY DIES…

He was not on the list.

Though details are sketchy, soul web sites both here and in the US are reporting the death of singer/songwriter/producer GREG PERRY. It seems that Perry, probably best known for his work with Hot Wax/Invictus, died on Wednesday 15th March.

Part of a musical family, Perry began his music career at Chess Records, working with legendary writer/producer Billy Davis. He then turned down a job offer from Motown to join Holland, Dozier, Holland at their fledgling Hot Wax/Invictus set up. There he played keys on countless tracks as well as writing hits with people like General Johnson and Angelo Bond. Amongst his best loved songs are ‘Pay to the Piper’ – a hit for the Chairmen of the Board, Freda Payne’s ‘Bring The Boys Home’ and ‘Want Ads’ for the Honey Cone. Perry went on to marry that group’s lead singer, Edna Wright.

Perry also recorded in his own right. His two Casablanca albums are now collectable – especially ‘One For The Road’ (1975). He also recorded for RCA. His ‘Smokin’’ long player for that label contains the popular ‘How’s Your Love Life Baby?’.  It seems his last recording was a 1982 single  for the Alfa label, ‘It Takes Heart’.

He produced songs for Chairmen of the Board that would end up on their Give Me Just A Little More Time + In Session ... Plus album. Along with General Johnson and Angelo Bond, he produced and co-wrote "Bring The Boys Home" for Freda Payne. He was also the producer and co-writer for "Want Ads for the group Honey Cone. He produced the album Oops! Here I Go Again for his wife, former Honey Cone member Edna Wright which was released in 1977 on RCA.

n addition to producing the album In And Out Of Love for Mary Wells, he wrote and co-wrote five songs for the album, played keyboards and contributed to background vocals. His brother Zachary Perry and wife Edna Wright were also involved with the album. He co-wrote and co-produced "Under The Influence Of Love", also written by Wright, and "If The Price Is Right" which appeared on the Bonnie Pointer album If the Price is Right which was released in 1984.