Jerry Riopelle

Jerry Riopelle (May 5, 1941 – December 24, 2018) was an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer born in Detroit, and raised in Tampa, Florida, and known primarily for his hard rock performances and for his record production. He mixed rock, country and jazz with R&B and was an inductee into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Early career Riopelle began his music career in the 1960s in Los Angeles working as an independent record producer. He played drums for The Hollywood Argyles and later signed with Screen Gems as a staff songwriter. At Screen Gems, he wrote and produced, along with Clydie King, a single called "The Thrill is Gone" (not to be confused with the one made famous by B.B. King). This exposure helped Riopelle land staff writer and producer job with Phil Spector and Lester Sills label Philles Records.

Riopelle had his first charting record as producer of "Home of the Brave," which was recorded by Bonnie & The Treasures reached #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1965. He later produced top 40 singles for The Parade (he was a member) and April Stevens & Nino Tempo. This led to an opportunity to work as an A&M Records producer and a role as a staff writer at Irving Music.

Later career and death Riopelle produced and wrote for The Parade, Brewer & Shipley, We Five, and Shango. His songs have been covered by Leon Russell, Herb Alpert, Kenny Loggins, Rita Coolidge, Meat Loaf, and others. Jerry also wrote various pieces for Hollywood TV shows and films.

Riopelle had a fan base in Arizona during the 1970s, and performed in New Year's Eve performances at Phoenix venue Celebrity Theatre, featuring a revolving stage. Acts opened for Riopelle on these occasions, including The Dixie Dregs.

In 2001, Riopelle invented and patented the Beamz device for creating music using lasers.

He died of complications from cancer on December 24, 2018, at the age of 77.

Discography

Year Album 1971 Jerry Riopelle Released: Label: Capitol Records Format: LP 1972 Second Album Released: Label: Capitol Format: LP 1974 Saving Grace Released: Label: ABC Format: LP 1975 Take a Chance Released: Label: ABC Format: LP 1994 Hush Money Released: Label: Rhino Records Format: CS, CD 1999 Tongue N Groove Released: Label: The Orchard Format: CD

Albums (vinyl) Jerry Riopelle - Capitol ST-732 - 1971 Jerry Riopelle -(re issue) Capitol SM-732 - 1977 The Second Album - Capitol ST-863 - 1972 The Second Album -(re issue) Capitol SM-863 - 1977 Saving Grace - ABC ABCX-827 - 1974 Saving Grace -(Ariola Holland) ABC 27 205 ET - 1974 Take A Chance - ABC ABCD-886 - 1975 Take A Chance -(RCA Canada) - 1975 Little Bit At A Time - Little Eskimo 7 - 1977 In The Round - Little Eskimo 8 - 1978 In The Round - (Ariola Holland) - 1979 Dangerous Stranger - Little Eskimo 9 - 1979 Dangerous Stranger - (Ariola Holland) - 1979 Juicy Talk - Little Eskimo 10 - 1982 Livin’ The Life (UK import)- See For Miles SEE 70 - 1986

Cassettes Little Bit At A Time - Little Eskimo LE 7 - 1977 In The Round - Little Eskimo LE-C-8 - 1978 In The Round (2 extra songs)*-Little Eskimo LE-CX-8 - 1990 Dangerous Stranger - Little Eskimo LE 9 - 1979 Juicy Talk - Little Eskimo LE 10 - 1982 Hands On - Little Eskimo LE 11 - 1988 In The Blood* - Indio LE-CDX 1122 - 1998 Note these cassettes made especially for Celebrity Theater New Year shows.

CDs Hands On - Little Eskimo LECD 11 - 1986 In The Blood - Indio ICD-9303 - 1993 Hush Money - Mesa R2 79078 - 1994 Tongue 'n' Groove - Evening Star/Little Eskimo LE 2000 - 2000 Tongue 'n' Groove (+In The Round) - Evening Star/Little Eskimo LE 2000X - 2000 The Works 1970-2000 - Little Eskimo LE 2005 - 2005 In the Round-Deluxe - Little Eskimo LE 2009 - 2009