Johnny Franz

John Charles Franz (23 February 1922 – 29 January 1977) was an English record producer and A&R man at the Philips label. He was one of Britain's most successful producers in the 1950s and 1960s. While his recordings encompassed several forms of mainstream popular music, his most enduring contributions were to British pop music of the mid-1960s on records by Dusty Springfield, the Walker Brothers, and the early solo recordings of Scott Walker. He subsequently married his secretary, Moira Creamer, in 1965.

Franz would consume copious cups of tea and cigarettes at any time of day, but especially during recording sessions.

Franz, who was known as the "last of the great pros", died of a heart attack in 1977 whilst in London's Brompton Hospital, at the age of 54. These were:

"Let's Have Another Party" – Winifred Atwell (1954) "Lay Down Your Arms" – Anne Shelton (1956) "The Garden of Eden" – Frankie Vaughan (1957) "As I Love You" – Shirley Bassey (1959) "Tower of Strength" – Frankie Vaughan (1961) "Juliet" – The Four Pennies (1964) "Make It Easy on Yourself" – The Walker Brothers (1965) "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" – The Walker Brothers (1966) "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" – Dusty Springfield (1966) "Welcome Home" – Peters and Lee (1973)