Ray Williams (producer)
Encyclopedia
Ray Williams, is an A&R
music producer/ publisher. He is best known as the man who discovered Elton John
and introduced him to lyric writer Bernie Taupin
. Williams has been a prominent figure of the music and film industry for many years as a press agent
, A&R
head, artist manager, film music producer, and publisher.
During the 1960s, Williams worked with Cathy McGowan, who presented "Ready Steady Go". He was also a press agent for a number major artists such as Sonny & Cher
, Cream
, Robert Stigwood
, and for Brian Epstein
's Saville Theatre. He eventually moved up to head the A&R department for Liberty Records
, where he signed upcoming artists who went on to achieve major successes with Jeff Lynne
(Idle race and ELO
), The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and Mike Batt
, among others.
By this time Williams’ reputation for discovering major talent was gaining credence. In 1967, he discovered Elton John
and introduced him to Bernie Taupin
, thereby setting in motion one of the most successful songwriting partnerships of the modern era. Williams managed John for his first five albums. He also launched and managed Stealers Wheel (Gerry Rafferty) and The Blues Band.
Since 1984, Williams has been one of Europe’s leading film and television music producers. His credits include Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor
" (1988), which collected the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award
, Grammy and the L.A. film critics’ award for best score and "The Sheltering Sky" (1990), which won the Golden Globe and L.A. film critics’ award.
The year 1996 brought more success as Williams produced the soundtrack for Lars Von Triers' "Breaking The Waves", a winner of the Grand Prix Award at Cannes and an Academy Award nomination in Hollywood.
From 1997 to 2002, Williams went on to produce and supervise several soundtracks including Saving Grace
, the film which won Robert Redford‘s Sundance Festival Best Film Award, and Dancer in the Dark, Lars Von Trier’s classic film starring Björk
, which went on to win the coveted Palme d'Or Award for best film at the Cannes Film Festival
.
During this period, Williams was instrumental in the acquisition of Bill Lowery’s Atlanta-based Lowery Music Publishing Group for Sony Music Entertainment. The catalogue included the songs "Be Bop a Lula", "Young Love" and "Rose Garden". He was appointed as Sony’s consultant for three years to oversee the transition of the business.
Williams currently (2007) runs his own music publishing/production company, "Crumbs Music" and continues to sign new artists, composers, and catologues. His latest project on Crumbs-The Label is Ali Campbell's (UB40
) album 'Running Free' featuring Smokey Robinson
, Katie Meluar, Lemar, Beverley Knight, Robin Campbell and Bitty McLean
.
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
music producer/ publisher. He is best known as the man who discovered Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and introduced him to lyric writer Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
. Williams has been a prominent figure of the music and film industry for many years as a press agent
Press agent
A press agent, or flack, is a professional publicist who acts on behalf of his or her client on all matters involving public relations. Press agents are typically employed by public personalities and organizations such as performers and businesses...
, A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
head, artist manager, film music producer, and publisher.
During the 1960s, Williams worked with Cathy McGowan, who presented "Ready Steady Go". He was also a press agent for a number major artists such as Sonny & Cher
Sonny & Cher
Sonny & Cher were an American pop music duo, actors, singers and entertainers made up of husband-and-wife team Sonny and Cher Bono in the 1960s and 1970s. The couple started their career in the mid-1960s as R&B backing singers for record producer Phil Spector....
, Cream
Cream (band)
Cream were a 1960s British rock supergroup consisting of bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, guitarist/vocalist Eric Clapton, and drummer Ginger Baker...
, Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood
Robert Stigwood is an impresario and entertainment entrepreneur who relocated to England in 1954...
, and for Brian Epstein
Brian Epstein
Brian Samuel Epstein , was an English music entrepreneur, and is best known for being the manager of The Beatles up until his death. He also managed several other musical artists such as Gerry & the Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Cilla Black, The Remo Four & The Cyrkle...
's Saville Theatre. He eventually moved up to head the A&R department for Liberty Records
Liberty Records
Liberty Records was a United States-based record label. It was started by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Al Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.-1950s:...
, where he signed upcoming artists who went on to achieve major successes with Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne
Jeffrey "Jeff" Lynne is an English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader and sole constant member of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob...
(Idle race and ELO
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
), The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and Mike Batt
Mike Batt
Michael Philip "Mike" Batt is a British songwriter, musician, producer and Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry...
, among others.
By this time Williams’ reputation for discovering major talent was gaining credence. In 1967, he discovered Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and introduced him to Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
, thereby setting in motion one of the most successful songwriting partnerships of the modern era. Williams managed John for his first five albums. He also launched and managed Stealers Wheel (Gerry Rafferty) and The Blues Band.
Since 1984, Williams has been one of Europe’s leading film and television music producers. His credits include Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Last Emperor
The Last Emperor
The Last Emperor is a 1987 biopic about the life of Puyi, the last Emperor of China, whose autobiography was the basis for the screenplay written by Mark Peploe and Bernardo Bertolucci. Independently produced by Jeremy Thomas, it was directed by Bertolucci and released in 1987 by Columbia Pictures...
" (1988), which collected the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award
Golden Globe Award
The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign...
, Grammy and the L.A. film critics’ award for best score and "The Sheltering Sky" (1990), which won the Golden Globe and L.A. film critics’ award.
The year 1996 brought more success as Williams produced the soundtrack for Lars Von Triers' "Breaking The Waves", a winner of the Grand Prix Award at Cannes and an Academy Award nomination in Hollywood.
From 1997 to 2002, Williams went on to produce and supervise several soundtracks including Saving Grace
Saving Grace (2000 film)
Track Listing# "Introduction" – 1:02# "Grace's Theme" – 2:42# "Take a Picture" – 5:55# "Make Me Smile " – 4:07# "Spirit in the Sky" – 3:56...
, the film which won Robert Redford‘s Sundance Festival Best Film Award, and Dancer in the Dark, Lars Von Trier’s classic film starring Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
, which went on to win the coveted Palme d'Or Award for best film at the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
.
During this period, Williams was instrumental in the acquisition of Bill Lowery’s Atlanta-based Lowery Music Publishing Group for Sony Music Entertainment. The catalogue included the songs "Be Bop a Lula", "Young Love" and "Rose Garden". He was appointed as Sony’s consultant for three years to oversee the transition of the business.
Williams currently (2007) runs his own music publishing/production company, "Crumbs Music" and continues to sign new artists, composers, and catologues. His latest project on Crumbs-The Label is Ali Campbell's (UB40
UB40
UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.Their hit singles...
) album 'Running Free' featuring Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Katie Meluar, Lemar, Beverley Knight, Robin Campbell and Bitty McLean
Bitty McLean
Bitty McLean is a British/Jamaican reggae, lovers rock and ragga musician. He is best known for his three UK Top 10 hits in 1993 and 1994, including his debut offering "It Keeps Rainin' ".-Career:...
.
External links
- Welcome to Crumbs! - Crumbs Music Homepage
- www.alicampbell.net
- www.eltonjohn.com
- www.bernie.taupin.com
- www.crumbsmusic.com