Richard Perry, Record Producer With a Golden Touch, Dies at 82

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Richard Perry, Record Producer With a Golden Touch, Dies at 82

Known for his work with Barbra Streisand, Carly Simon, the Pointer Sisters and many others, he was one of the most reliable hitmakers in the business.


The record producer Richard Perry in 1982. He had a deft ear for crafting the sharpest and most appealing performance of a song. Lennox McLendon/Associated Press

By Ben Sisario
Dec. 24, 2024

Richard Perry, a record producer who became one of the most sought-after figures behind the scenes of pop music in the 1970s and ’80s through his work with Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, the Pointer Sisters and others, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 82. … The cause of his death, in a hospital, was cardiac arrest, said Daphna Kastner Keitel, a friend.

Mr. Perry began his producing career in the late 1960s with some of music’s most inspired oddities: He recorded Tiny Tim’s debut album, “God Bless Tiny Tim” (featuring “Tip-Toe Thru’ the Tulips With Me,” a Top 20 hit in 1968), and Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band’s “Safe as Milk.”


Mr. Perry began his producing career in the late 1960s with some of music’s most inspired oddities: He produced both Tiny Tim’s “God Bless Tiny Tim” and Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band’s “Safe as Milk.” Reprise and Buddah Records

But by the early 1970s, he had become one of the most reliable hitmakers in the business, wrapping stars in a clear, powerful production style that sounded superb on the radio.

He recorded Ms. Streisand’s 1971 album “Stoney End,” on which she embraced the contemporary pop songwriting of Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell and Randy Newman. After that, he produced Harry Nilsson’s “Nilsson Schmilsson” (1971), featuring the hits “Without You,” “Jump Into the Fire” and “Coconut”; Ringo Starr’s solo LPs “Ringo” (1973) and “Goodnight Vienna” (1974); and Ms. Simon’s “No Secrets” (1972), which included her signature song “You’re So Vain.”



Mr. Perry produced Carly Simon’s album “No Secrets” (1972), which included her signature song “You’re So Vain.” Elektra Records

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Ben Sisario, a reporter covering music and the music industry, has been writing for The Times for more than 20 years. More about Ben Sisario

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1. Another awesome song: