Name Jerry Fuller | Role Songwriter | |
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Born November 19, 1938 (age 85) ( 1938-11-19 ) Fort Worth, Texas Occupation Songwriter, music producer Albums Clarinet Portrait, The Lost '60s Recordings, A Double Life Nominations Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year Similar People O C Smith, Ricky Nelson, Neil Swainson, Lorne Lofsky, Wynn Stewart | ||
Jerry fuller footprints in the snow oldie
Jerry Fuller (born November 19, 1938) is an American songwriter, singer and record producer.
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first love never dies by jerry fuller
Biography
Jerry Fuller was born in Fort Worth, Texas to a musical family. He and his brother Bill performed as a duo in their home state, recording for the local Lin label, before Jerry branched out on his own and began writing his own material. In 1959 he moved to Los Angeles and secured a performing contract with Challenge Records. His rockabilly version of "The Tennessee Waltz" soon made #63 on the Hot 100, and earned him an invitation to appear on "American Bandstand."
In 1961, he wrote "Travelin' Man" which, although originally intended for Sam Cooke, was recorded by Ricky Nelson and went on to sell some six million copies worldwide. Fuller went on to write 23 of Nelson's recordings, including "A Wonder Like You", "Young World", and "It's Up to You", all of which made the US Top 10.
He then spent some time touring as a featured singer with The Champs, whose other members included Glen Campbell, Jimmy Seals, and Dash Crofts, before a period in the US Army. On his return in 1963, Challenge / Four Star moved him to New York City to run their east coast operation. There, he discovered garage band The Knickerbockers, and produced their 1965 hit "Lies".
In 1967, he moved to Columbia Records as a producer. His first discovery was Gary Puckett and The Union Gap, whom he found in a San Diego bowling alley lounge. The group had a succession of hits, including "Young Girl" (a UK #1), "Lady Willpower", and "Over You", all three written and produced by Fuller. He also produced Mark Lindsay, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy, and jazz singer O.C. Smith, for whom he produced the hits "Son Of Hickory Holler's Tramp" and "Little Green Apples".
In 1970 he started Moonchild production company, producing the hit "Show and Tell" for Al Wilson in 1973.