Artie Wayne
Artie Wayne (born Wayne Kent, January 22, 1942 – February 19, 2019) was an American record producer, music publisher, songwriter and singer. His first hit as a songwriter and producer came in 1963 when he co-wrote Joey Powers' "Midnight Mary" for which he received a gold record, signifying that the single had realised $1 million in sales in the U.S.A. Wayne had over 250 covers of his compositions recorded by such artists as Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Pat Boone, Helen Shapiro, The Magic Lanterns, Joe Dassin, The Temptations, Ricky Nelson, Paul Anka, Cher, and The 5th Dimension. Early years Wayne first worked with Bobby Darin in 1959, who sent him to Don Kirshner, who had just formed Aldon Music with producer Al Nevins. He went on to collaborate with Paul Vance ("Itsy, Bitsy Bikini") and in 1963 co-wrote his first hit, " Midnight Mary" with Ben Raleigh ("Tell Laura I Love Her"). He also produced the single, which was singer Joey Powers' only hit. Wayne also wrote UK top 50 hits by Helen Shapiro ("Queen for Tonight") and The Magic Lanterns ("Excuse Me Baby"). After a short stint as professional manager of publishing at April-Blackwood Music, he was appointed to the same role at the new Kapralik Organisation set up by David Kapralik. While there, he discovered and signed Tony Romeo (who later wrote many Partridge Family hits) as well as Bob Stone (who wrote "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves" for Cher). In 1965, Wayne moved to Scepter Records, where he was signed as a writer and produced the Shirelles, the Kingsmen and the Guess Who. When the head of the music publishing company, Ed Silvers, moved to the west coast to join Viva Records, Wayne stayed in New York. Unable to afford to sign Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson (who went on to write "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "I'm Every Woman"), with whom he worked at Scepter, he took the duo to Eddie Holland (of Holland/ Dozier/ Holland), who signed them to Motown. In the next four and a half years, Wayne and his partners Sandy and Kelli Ross built Alouette Productions into the top New York publishing administration and exploitation firm of the late sixties. They represented Quincy Jones, (Joey) Levine and (Artie) Resnick, (Gary) Geld and (Peter) Udell, Bobby Scott, Janis Ian, Ron Haffkine, Lesley Gore, and Bo Gentry. He also recorded under the name Shadow Mann for his own label, Tomorrow's Productions, distributed by Morris Levy. He is also credited with discovering actress Sissy Spacek who recorded for his label under the name Rainbo. Hollywood After moving to Hollywood in 1970, he contributed pieces as a photographer and journalist to Rock and Fusion magazines. He also reviewed acts for Cash Box before joining Viva Music as professional manager. When the firm was acquired by Warner Brothers, Wayne became general professional manager and director of creative services for Warner Bros.Music. He directed the New York, Hollywood and Nashville professional staff, which he dubbed