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Ellie GreenwichMusician, songwriter
Date of Birth: 23.10.1940
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of Ellie Greenwich
- Early Life and Musical Beginnings
- Early Career
- Success as a Songwriter
- Later Career and Legacy
- Later Years and Passing
Biography of Ellie Greenwich
Ellie Greenwich, an American songwriter, had her songs performed by Tina Turner, John Lennon, 'Smokie', Elton John, Mariah Carey, Cher, Bon Jovi, 'U2', and many others. Her name became very important and synonymous with success for many musicians, as she always stood at the top of the American music industry, and her songs "lit up many stars".
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Ellie Greenwich was born in Brooklyn to a Catholic father and a Jewish mother. At the age of ten, she began studying music and learned to play the accordion. Music lessons brought her immense pleasure, and even at that young age, she started hearing beautiful melodies within her. By the age of 13, she had started writing her own songs and formed a girl group called 'The Jivettes' with two friends from school. Their first audience consisted of hospital patients, schoolchildren, and participants in charity events. Ellie's songs, which made up the repertoire of the young performers, already sounded "authentic".
Early Career
At 17, while still in school, Ellie's mother recognized her daughter's talents and arranged for her to audition for Archie Bleyer of 'Cadence Records'. After listening to Ellie, Bleyer acknowledged her undeniable talent but advised her to finish school first. Following his advice, Ellie enrolled in Queens College and later in Hofstra University, where she eventually met Jeff Barry. Together, the young couple began writing songs, and in October 1962, they transformed from co-writers to husband and wife.
Success as a Songwriter
In the early 1960s, Ellie wrote her first hits. Collaborating with her husband and Phil Spector, she became a songwriter for groups like 'The Ronettes', 'The Crystals', 'The Shangri-Las', Tina Turner, and others. Some of the songs they created were later covered by 'The Ramones', John Lennon, 'Smokie', 'The Beach Boys', Elton John, Mariah Carey, Cher, Bon Jovi, 'U2', and many more. In 1963, Greenwich soared to success with songs like 'Be My Baby' and 'Baby, I Love You' performed by 'The Ronettes', 'Da Doo Ron Ron' by 'The Crystals', 'Not Too Young To Get Married' by 'Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans', and 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)' by Darlene Love.
Later Career and Legacy
In the late 1960s, Ellie worked as a backing vocalist for the already popular Frank Sinatra. She also participated in arranging songs for the great Ella Fitzgerald. Ellie Greenwich was instrumental in launching the career of American singer Neil Diamond. In 1967, she co-founded 'Pineywood Music' with Mike Rashkow, and their creative team produced numerous hits for Dusty Springfield, 'The Hardy Boys', 'The Other Voices', and others. That same year, Ellie released her solo album titled 'Ellie Greenwich Composes, Produces and Sings', which included two hit songs: 'Niki Hoeky', which broke records in Japan, and 'I Want You To Be My Baby'.
By the end of the 20th century, Ellie Greenwich was considered one of the most popular songwriters in the United States. In 1991, she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with her husband Jeff Barry. Among her many accolades were an Emmy, a Tony, and an award for Best Musical from the New York Music Award.
Later Years and Passing
In her later years, Ellie Greenwich collaborated with Desmond Child, Nona Hendryx, Paul Shaffer, and other equally popular musicians. Her songs accompanied popular TV shows, opened parades, holidays, and festivals, and her music resonated throughout America. Throughout her nearly 50-year music career, Ellie Greenwich's albums went gold and platinum 25 times. Sadly, Ellie Greenwich passed away at the age of 68 from a heart attack on August 26, 2009, at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in New York. She had been admitted with pneumonia, but her heart could not withstand it.
Among those mourning the loss of the remarkable singer Ellie Greenwich were the great contemporary performers whose fame was partially owed to her songs, which they faithfully performed and resonated with millions of listeners.
