Norman Bergen
Encyclopedia
Norman Bergen is an American pianist, music arranger, record producer, band leader, musical director, and vocalist.
, Rodney Dangerfield
, Jackie Mason
, Dick Shawn
, and jazz great Joe Williams
.
, playing piano and guitar. Norman also met two well-known Brooklyn singing groups: Vito & the Salutations
with whom he performed as a member for two years as well as writing songs and arrangements for their recordings, and The Tokens
.
Norman’s musical arrangements for The Tokens’ Bright Tunes Productions include records by The Chiffons
, The Happenings
, the Tokens themselves, and the first two hits by Tony Orlando and Dawn
: “Candida” and multi-million seller “Knock Three Times”. Norman later re-joined forces with Tokens founding members Phil and Mitch Margo along with Dennis Marcellino
, to form a “west coast Tokens”, touring the U.S. from 1985 to 1993 during which time they recorded two albums: “Re-Doo-Wopp” (RCA) and “Oldies Are Now” (BT Puppy). It was during those years that the group appeared in the acclaimed sketch “City Of Strangers” on “The Tracey Ullman
Show”.
(at Carnegie Hall
)with the American Symphony Orchestra, a television program at WGBH Boston with composer Aaron Copland
, and recording the music of composer Lou Harrison
with the Manhattan Percussion Ensemble.
" with Shelly Coburn for United Artists Music. It has had quite a history since its first recording by Arthur Prysock
. There are now more than 60 versions including Tom Jones
, Wyclef Jean
, Nick Lowe
on "The Convincer
" CD, Dion DiMucci
, Long John Baldry
, and calypso king Mighty Sparrow
. The song has attained huge success in various parts of the world including Holland where it was on the top 100 for 28 weeks and came in at No. 3 of the 70s decade. It has become a true standard in Finland as “Muisto vain jää”, with hit versions by Jouko and Kosti, Pekka Tiilikainen and Beatmakers, and Harri Marstio. Norman is currently composing material for Marstio’s next album. The song has also been translated to German, Swedish, and Dutch.
(where he holds the record of conducting over 3000 performances on Broadway), “Let My People Come”, and “What’s A Nice Country (Doing In A State Like This?)”. He has also conducted orchestras for Debbie Reynolds
, Robert Guillaume
, and Juliet Prowse. Norman was musical director for the PBS fund-raiser “Let’s Rock Tonight Concert” which featured original recording artists of the 50s and 60s including Fabian
, Ben E. King
, Del Shannon
, Mitch Ryder
, Martha & The Vandellas, and Mary Wells
. He spent many years in the 80s and 90s as musical director for Tony Orlando
, including a 5-year run at Branson
’s Yellow Ribbon Music Theatre. He also was musical director and did vocal arrangements on the 1976 musical Let My People Come
.
" Love Is Just a Heartbeat Away", Ralph Carter
of TV’s Good Times
, Vicki Sue Robinson
, and singing group Moment of Truth, whose recording of “So Much For Love” would become the first twelve-inch 45, as created by the now legendary Tom Moulton
.
"Come Softly to Me/Hushabye" on Astrud Gilberto's Finest Hour, Trini Lopez
, Danny Bonaduce
, Diane Keaton
, and Tiny Tim
.
,the song "Friends" on his 2001 Gold Album "Duces 'n Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way
", and German duo Milk & Sugar
, on their hits "Stay Around(For This)" and "Has Your Man Got Soul".
Norman was the Musical Director for Tony Orlando
at the Yellow Ribbon Music Theater and has also been active on U.S. riverboats including the Mississippi Queen
, American Queen
, and Empress of the North
, where he performed as band leader and musical director for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company
. and Majestic America Line.
, Anna Harvey, Geraint Watkins
(keyboards), Zev Katz (bass), and Van Morrison
alumni Johnny Scott (guitar) and Robert Treherne (drums), who co-produced the album with Neil Brockbank at Goldtop Studios in London.
Early years
Norman comes from a musical family. He is the younger son of Pauline and Sam Bergen. The largest item in their small apartment was a baby grand piano which was played by his mother Pauline. His older brother Danny played trumpet. Norman started playing piano at the age of 3. Bergen’s early influences were the pianists played by New York DJs Alan Freed and Symphony Sid: Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Thelonious Monk, Ramsey Lewis, and Dave Brubeck.Catskill Mountains
Norman went on to perform in New York’s Catskill Mountains sitting in with his brother's band in 1957. He was a band leader and pianist at the early age of 14. In that same year, 1959, he also appeared on the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon with his own band. During his years in the Catskills,from 1959 until mid 1960's, Norman backed up many stars including Cab CallowayCab Calloway
Cabell "Cab" Calloway III was an American jazz singer and bandleader. He was strongly associated with the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City where he was a regular performer....
, Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield , was an American comedian, and actor, known for the catchphrases "I don't get no respect!," "No respect, no respect at all... that's the story of my life" or "I get no respect, I tell ya" and his monologues on that theme...
, Jackie Mason
Jackie Mason
Jackie Mason is an American stand-up comedian and movie actor.-Early life:Born Yacov Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, he grew up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City....
, Dick Shawn
Dick Shawn
Dick Shawn was an American actor and comedian.-Early life and career:Shawn was born as Richard Schulefand in Buffalo, New York. He played Sylvester Marcus, son of Mrs. Marcus , in Stanley Kramer's It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World and Lorenzo St...
, and jazz great Joe Williams
Joe Williams
Joe Williams may refer to:* Cyclone Joe Williams , Negro Leagues baseball pitcher, a.k.a. "Smokey Joe" Williams* Joe Williams , achieved prominence in the late 1950s* Big Joe Williams , delta blues singer...
.
Brooklyn to the Brill Building
While still in high school, Bergen would take the subway train to Manhattan after school to play his demos for companies in the Brill Building. During this period, at age 17, he toured with Neil SedakaNeil Sedaka
Neil Sedaka is an American pop/rock singer, pianist, and composer. His career has spanned nearly 55 years, during which time he has sold millions of records as an artist and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard...
, playing piano and guitar. Norman also met two well-known Brooklyn singing groups: Vito & the Salutations
Vito & the Salutations
Vito & the Salutations is a New York doo wop group from the 1960s, whose first popular recording, "Gloria," was a regional hit.Vito & the Salutations scored a success in 1963 with an up-tempo version of the song "Unchained Melody," which reached number 60 on the Cash Box hit parade and made the top...
with whom he performed as a member for two years as well as writing songs and arrangements for their recordings, and The Tokens
The Tokens
The Tokens are an American male doo-wop-style vocal group from Brooklyn, New York. They are known best for their chart-scoring 1961 single, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" .-Career:...
.
Norman’s musical arrangements for The Tokens’ Bright Tunes Productions include records by The Chiffons
The Chiffons
The Chiffons was an all girl group originating from the Bronx area of New York in 1960.-Biography:The Chiffons were one of the top girl groups of the early 1960s...
, The Happenings
The Happenings
The Happenings were a pop music group that originated in the 1960s. The group's major hits were "See You In September" , which was originally recorded by the Tempos in 1959; a cover version of the George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin song, "I Got Rhythm" , updated for the nascent pop/rock era; and "Hare...
, the Tokens themselves, and the first two hits by Tony Orlando and Dawn
Tony Orlando and Dawn
Tony Orlando and Dawn was a pop music group that was popular in the 1970s. Their signature hits include "Candida", "Knock Three Times", "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree", and "He Don't Love You ".-History:...
: “Candida” and multi-million seller “Knock Three Times”. Norman later re-joined forces with Tokens founding members Phil and Mitch Margo along with Dennis Marcellino
Dennis Marcellino
Dennis Marcellino is an American musician, speaker and author of psychology, philosophy, theology and political books. He has been a member of some famous music groups: The Tokens , Sly & The Family Stone , The Elvin Bishop Group and Rubicon Dennis Marcellino (born January 17, 1948) is an American...
, to form a “west coast Tokens”, touring the U.S. from 1985 to 1993 during which time they recorded two albums: “Re-Doo-Wopp” (RCA) and “Oldies Are Now” (BT Puppy). It was during those years that the group appeared in the acclaimed sketch “City Of Strangers” on “The Tracey Ullman
Tracey Ullman
Tracey Ullman is a British stage and television actress, comedienne, singer, dancer, screenwriter and author ....
Show”.
College education
Bergen earned degrees from Manhattan School of Music – Bachelor’s in Music Theory in 1966 and Master’s in Music Education in 1967. It was during his years at this school that he had the honor of playing piano under conductor Leopold StokowskiLeopold Stokowski
Leopold Anthony Stokowski was a British-born, naturalised American orchestral conductor, well known for his free-hand performing style that spurned the traditional baton and for obtaining a characteristically sumptuous sound from many of the great orchestras he conducted.In America, Stokowski...
(at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
)with the American Symphony Orchestra, a television program at WGBH Boston with composer Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
, and recording the music of composer Lou Harrison
Lou Harrison
Lou Silver Harrison was an American composer. He was a student of Henry Cowell, Arnold Schoenberg, and K. P. H. Notoprojo Lou Silver Harrison (May 14, 1917 – February 2, 2003) was an American composer. He was a student of Henry Cowell, Arnold Schoenberg, and K. P. H. Notoprojo Lou Silver Harrison...
with the Manhattan Percussion Ensemble.
Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart
In 1964, Norman co-wrote the song "Only A Fool Breaks His Own HeartOnly A Fool Breaks His Own Heart
Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart is a song that was composed in Brooklyn New York in 1964 by Norman Bergen and Shelly Coburn in response to a request by United Artists Music who was looking for songs for British duo Chad & Jeremy. Going for a British sound, Bergen started with a chord progression...
" with Shelly Coburn for United Artists Music. It has had quite a history since its first recording by Arthur Prysock
Arthur Prysock
Arthur Prysock was an American jazz singer best known for his live shows and his baritone influenced by Billy Eckstine....
. There are now more than 60 versions including Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
, Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean
Wyclef Jean is a Haitian musician, record producer, and politician. At age nine, Jean moved to the United States with his family and has spent much of his life in the country...
, Nick Lowe
Nick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
on "The Convincer
The Convincer
The Convincer is a 2001 studio album by British singer-songwriter Nick Lowe. Produced by Lowe and Neil Brockbank, it was released in Europe by Proper Records and by Yep Roc Records in the USA.-Track listing:...
" CD, Dion DiMucci
Dion DiMucci
Dion Francis DiMucci , better known as Dion, is an American singer-songwriter whose work has incorporated elements of doo-wop, pop oldies music, rock and R&B styles....
, Long John Baldry
Long John Baldry
John William "Long John" Baldry was an English and Canadian blues singer and a voice actor. He sang with many British musicians, with Rod Stewart and Elton John appearing in bands led by Baldry in the 1960s. He enjoyed pop success in the UK where Let the Heartaches Begin reached No...
, and calypso king Mighty Sparrow
Mighty Sparrow
Mighty Sparrow or Birdie is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians...
. The song has attained huge success in various parts of the world including Holland where it was on the top 100 for 28 weeks and came in at No. 3 of the 70s decade. It has become a true standard in Finland as “Muisto vain jää”, with hit versions by Jouko and Kosti, Pekka Tiilikainen and Beatmakers, and Harri Marstio. Norman is currently composing material for Marstio’s next album. The song has also been translated to German, Swedish, and Dutch.
Musical direction
Norman’s Broadway and off-Broadway show credits include Oh! Calcutta!Oh! Calcutta!
Oh! Calcutta! is an avant-garde theatrical revue, created by British drama critic Kenneth Tynan. The show, consisting of sketches on sex-related topics, debuted Off-Broadway in 1969 and then in London in 1970. It ran in London for over 3,900 performances, and in New York initially for 1,314...
(where he holds the record of conducting over 3000 performances on Broadway), “Let My People Come”, and “What’s A Nice Country (Doing In A State Like This?)”. He has also conducted orchestras for Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds is an American actress, singer, and dancer.She was initially signed at age 16 by Warner Bros., but her career got off to a slow start. When her contract was not renewed, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer gave her a small, but significant part in the film Three Little Words , then signed her to...
, Robert Guillaume
Robert Guillaume
Robert "Bob" Guillaume is an American stage and television actor, best known for his role as Benson Du Bois on the TV-series Soap and the spin-off Benson, voicing the mandrill Rafiki in The Lion King and as Isaac Jaffe on Sports Night...
, and Juliet Prowse. Norman was musical director for the PBS fund-raiser “Let’s Rock Tonight Concert” which featured original recording artists of the 50s and 60s including Fabian
Fabian
-People:*Fabian Månsson, , Swedish socialist*Fabian , , 1950s American teen idol and singer*Fabian Bachrach, an American photographer*Fabian Cancellara, , Swiss professional road cyclist...
, Ben E. King
Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S...
, Del Shannon
Del Shannon
Del Shannon was an American rock and roll singer-songwriter who had a No. 1 hit, "Runaway", in 1961.- Biography :...
, Mitch Ryder
Mitch Ryder
William S. Levise, Jr , better known by his stage name Mitch Ryder, is an American musician who has recorded over two dozen albums in more than four decades.-Career:...
, Martha & The Vandellas, and Mary Wells
Mary Wells
Mary Esther Wells was an American singer who helped to define the emerging sound of Motown in the early 1960s...
. He spent many years in the 80s and 90s as musical director for Tony Orlando
Tony Orlando
Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis , better known as Tony Orlando, is an American show business professional, best known as the lead singer of the group Tony Orlando and Dawn in the early 1970s. Discovered by producer Don Kirshner, Orlando had songs on the charts in 1961 when he was 16, "Halfway to...
, including a 5-year run at Branson
Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in Taney County in the U.S. state of Missouri. It was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s....
’s Yellow Ribbon Music Theatre. He also was musical director and did vocal arrangements on the 1976 musical Let My People Come
Let My People Come
Let My People Come is the title of a pornographic musical which ran from January 8, 1974 to July 5, 1976 in New York City, at The Village Gate in Greenwich Village. Its run was continued in Los Angeles, in Philadelphia, at the Grendel's Lair Cabaret Theatre, and, in the 1980s, at the Basin Street...
.
Disco
Bergen and associate Reid Whitelaw wrote and produced some of the most memorable disco records of the 70s with artists Gloria GaynorGloria Gaynor
Gloria Gaynor is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" , "Never Can Say Goodbye" , "Let Me Know " and "I Am What I Am" .-Early career:Gaynor was a singer with the Soul...
" Love Is Just a Heartbeat Away", Ralph Carter
Ralph Carter
Ralph Carter is an American actor, and singerCarter is best known for his work as a child and teenager, both in the Broadway musical Raisin and as the character Michael Evans, the youngest member of the Evans family, on the 1970s sitcom Good Times...
of TV’s Good Times
Good Times
Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer...
, Vicki Sue Robinson
Vicki Sue Robinson
Vicki Sue Robinson was an American theatre and film actress and singer, closely associated with the disco era of late 1970s pop music; she is most famous for her 1976 hit, "Turn the Beat Around."-Early life and career:...
, and singing group Moment of Truth, whose recording of “So Much For Love” would become the first twelve-inch 45, as created by the now legendary Tom Moulton
Tom Moulton
Tom Moulton is an American record producer, and originator of the remix, the breakdown section, and the 12-inch single vinyl format.-Life and career:Thomas Jerome Moulton was born in Schenectady, New York, United States....
.
Other performers
Norman has arranged music and/or produced recordings for a varied range of singers including Astrud GilbertoAstrud Gilberto
Astrud Gilberto is a Brazilian samba and bossa nova singer. She is well known for the Grammy Award-winning song "The Girl from Ipanema".-Biography:...
"Come Softly to Me/Hushabye" on Astrud Gilberto's Finest Hour, Trini Lopez
Trini Lopez
Trini Lopez is an American singer, guitarist and actor.-Career:Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby...
, Danny Bonaduce
Danny Bonaduce
Dante Daniel "Danny" Bonaduce is an American radio/television personality, comedian, professional wrestler, and former child actor...
, Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton is an American film actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. Keaton began her career on stage, and made her screen debut in 1970...
, and Tiny Tim
Tiny Tim (musician)
Tiny Tim , , born in Manhattan, was an American singer and ukulele player. He was most famous for his rendition of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a distinctive high falsetto/vibrato voice.-Rise to fame:Born to Lebanese parents in 1932, Khaury displayed musical talent at a very young age...
.
Recent years
Many of Bergen’s songs and productions have resurfaced largely through the efforts of former fellow co-writer/producer Reid Whitelaw, with track samples by such artists as Snoop DoggSnoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
,the song "Friends" on his 2001 Gold Album "Duces 'n Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way
Duces 'N Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way
Duces 'n Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way is the second studio album by American rap group Tha Eastsidaz, released on July 30, 2001. The album features the single "I Luv It" and includes the song "Crip Hop" which was also featured in the film, Baby Boy and the corresponding soundtrack.The album had...
", and German duo Milk & Sugar
Milk & Sugar
Milk & Sugar are German housemusic producers and record label owners Mike Milk and Steven Sugar...
, on their hits "Stay Around(For This)" and "Has Your Man Got Soul".
Norman was the Musical Director for Tony Orlando
Tony Orlando
Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis , better known as Tony Orlando, is an American show business professional, best known as the lead singer of the group Tony Orlando and Dawn in the early 1970s. Discovered by producer Don Kirshner, Orlando had songs on the charts in 1961 when he was 16, "Halfway to...
at the Yellow Ribbon Music Theater and has also been active on U.S. riverboats including the Mississippi Queen
Mississippi Queen
"Mississippi Queen" is a song by the American rock band Mountain. Considered a rock classic, it was their most successful single, reaching #21 in the Billboard Hot 100 record chart in 1970...
, American Queen
American Queen
American Queen is the largest steamboat ever built. The ship was built in 1995 and is a six-deck recreation of a classic Mississippi riverboat, built by the Delta Queen Steamboat Company...
, and Empress of the North
Empress of the North
The Empress of the North is a diesel-powered paddlewheeler that was formerly operated by Majestic America Line. She was built in 2002 at the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders shipyard on Whidbey Island for $50 million and debuted as a cruise ship in 2003. She is listed as accommodating 223 guests,...
, where he performed as band leader and musical director for the Delta Queen Steamboat Company
Delta Queen Steamboat Company
The Greene Line was a line of river steamships along the Ohio River. The name was later changed to Delta Queen Steamboat Company.-History:...
. and Majestic America Line.
"Symphony of Love"
Norman’s latest album, his first as featured performer, is “Symphony of Love”. It contains 13 tracks including Norman’s own rendition of “Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart” plus 11 new originals. Personnel include Nick LoweNick Lowe
Nicholas Drain "Nick" Lowe , is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer.A pivotal figure in UK pub rock, punk rock and new wave, Lowe has recorded a string of well-reviewed solo albums. Along with vocals, Lowe plays guitar, bass guitar, piano and harmonica...
, Anna Harvey, Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins
Geraint Watkins is a rock and roll pianist and accordionist backing artistes such as; Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney, Roy St. John and Shakin' Stevens...
(keyboards), Zev Katz (bass), and Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
alumni Johnny Scott (guitar) and Robert Treherne (drums), who co-produced the album with Neil Brockbank at Goldtop Studios in London.