Jerry Ragovoy Has Died

I've just woken up to some very sad news that my Ace colleague Mick Patrick e-mailed to me in the small hours of this morning.

I'm sure that Mick won't mind if I reprint part of his e-mail here:

"I just spoke to (his wife) Bev Ragovoy, who told me that Jerry has died following a massive stroke. He did not suffer, and his twin daughters and Bev were with him.

On Sunday Jerry filmed an interview at the Bottom Line for the documentary film on Bert Berns being made by Bert's son Brett and daughter Cassie. He was taken ill in the taxi back to their hotel and instead went directly to hospital. He went into a coma. His vital signs seemed good, but he died suddenly last night.

The family will be holding a small private funeral, but are planning a bigger memorial service to celebrate Jerry's life, probably in September"...

It's an eternal regret of mine that I had to forego the opprtunity to meet and have lunch with Jerry last Summer, in London, for reasons that I now cannot even remember. Now I shall never get the chance....

He wrote or produced some of the greatest soul records of the 1960s, often both. Our owrld of music would have been a much lesser place to live without Jerry's massive contribution to it...

...May he truly rest in peace.

In total agreement .

Thank you for your involvement Mr Ragavoy .

RIP

Malc

Another one of the Greats from our scene passes away.................R.I.P .......Thank you for the music

RIP to a legend!

More sad news. R.I.P. Jerry.

You can still buy the Ace CD of some of Jerry's work.....

Time Is on My Side: the Jerry Ragovoy Story 1953-2003

Sad news Indeed.

R.I.P. Jerry.

Very sad news. RIP Jerry.

The man's contribution to music was immense. The legacy he leaves us serves as a wonderful monument to his unique genius. Long live Jerry Ragovoy.

Blimey, he wrote and produced timeless music, especially liked the Garnet Mimm's tracks that he did.. and of course Lorraine Ellison...

there is a great story in the Kent CD on him about Jimmy Hendrix partying in his recording studio...

a great loss..

Mal.C.

R I P Jerry.

A real GIANT gone. How influential was Jerry Ragovoy?. I can't go very far into the records on my shelves without coming across this name. One of the most prolific writers/arrangers/producers of all time.

A very sad loss to us all.

R.I.P. Jerry. Up with the angels now. God Bless.

Kevin

Very sad,

Jerry was a nice guy as well as being an admired producer.

Paul

Sad news.

His legacy of outstanding writing, productions and arrangements within our scene will never go unrecognised.

A musical genius who's contribution is second to none in my book.

Thank you Jerry. R.I.P.

Sad news indeed! His involvement in classics like, Erma Franklin's "Piece Of My Heart", Loraine Ellison's "Stay With Me", Garnet Mimms "Looking For You" and so many more, mark Jerry Ragovoy out as one of the greats in my book

But for me, Jerry's finest "pure" Soul moment has to be Carl Hall's "You Don't Know Nothing About Love" an awesome slice of soul music! (which he also cut on Loraine Ellison)

"Jerry Ragovoy".... one of those names ya keep coming across on great records!

RIP

steve

Sad Sad News..R.I.P Jerry

his music will live on thru all of us who appreciated him and his work, god bless jerry R.I..P

BRI PINCH

So sad to hear this news, Jerry's name on a record label meant quality!

Massive respect for this man

God bless and condolences to his family and friends

regards

Paul

Very sad news - Jerry's name on a record was a guarantee of quality - RIP

All the best

Manus

HIS MUSIC HAS MENT SUCH A LOT TO ME FOR MOST OF ;MY LIFE RIP

A proper genuis, that transcended scenes, rightly so.

He made history, what more can you say.

RIP xxxx

very sad news,a lot to rember tho.rip.

RIP Jerry. Condolences to the family from the Northern Soul fraternity of Great Britain

What a genius .... thanks for creating some amazing music Mr Ragavoy. RIP and hearfelt condolences to his family and close friends.

Phil

Yes very sad news indeed.

Real shock to read about Jerry passing away in the Times yesterday, excellant article on Jerries career particualry his early song writing days, writing under the pseudomyms "Norman Margulies" and "Norman Meade" didn't know that. Also the reason the Loraine Ellison "Stay With Me" recording was so heavily orchestrated like a Phil Spector "Wall of Sound" production was that the orchestra was booked for Frank Sinatra who cancelled.Great insight into a genius and fantastic tunes that have been with us most of our lives.

RIP Jerry

Sad to hear this.

Thanks for all the music Mr. Ragovoy.

What a great contribution you made to so many people's lives.

Condolences to all family and friends.

RIP x

The man's contribution to music was immense. The legacy he leaves us serves as a wonderful monument to his unique genius. Long live Jerry Ragovoy.

couldn't have said it better, Thankyou Jerry!

RIP Sir...

Would like to add my condolences.

Had the pleasure of interviewing him for Black Echoes way back in the 70's when the Loma compilations came out.

Despite me being woefully unprepared, he was genial and charming, and his love of Soul Music shone through.

HI ALL.... SITTING HERE AND THINKING OF THE EARLY DAYS OF MY RECORD COLLECTING WHEN I WOULD LOOK FOR THE CREDITS ON OBSCURE RECORDS THAT I DID NOT NO. AND JERRY'S NAME WAS ONE THAT WOULD MAKE ME BUY THE RECORD WITHOUT EVEN HEARING IT, IN FACT I AM SURE, WE PROBABLY ALL DID THAT WHEN JUNKING FOR DUSTY'S, RIP JERRY YOU WORK HAS BEEN A INSPIRATION TO MANY RARE SOUL FANS IN THE UK. DAVE KILWORTH

Jerry wrote or produced most of The Silhouettes soul songs from the '60's, which I suppose is why the Silhouettes' soul songs are as great as they are. Sometimes his name is on the record label as N. Meade. He's responsible for the great soul songs of Howard Tate. Not enough people know who Jerry is, unfortunately.