Robert Blackwell

Robert Alexander "Bumps" Blackwell (May 23, 1918 – March 9, 1985) was an American bandleader, songwriter, arranger, and record producer, best known for his work overseeing the early hits of Little Richard, as well as mentoring Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, Lloyd Price, Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert, Larry Williams, and Sly and the Family Stone at the start of their music careers.

Biography Born in Seattle, Washington, He moved to Hollywood, California, to continue studying composition, but he instead took a job at Art Rupe's Specialty Records as an arranger and producer. Blackwell left Specialty in 1957, taking Sam Cooke with him to Keen Records.

Selective discography As co-writer and producer 1956: "Long Tall Sally" (Blackwell/Johnson/Penniman) - Little Richard, US Pop No. 6, UK No. 3 1956: "Ready Teddy" (Blackwell/Marascalco) - Little Richard, US Pop No. 44 1956: "Rip It Up" (Blackwell/Marascalco) - Little Richard, US Pop No. 17, UK No. 30 1958: "Good Golly Miss Molly" (Blackwell/Marascalco) - Little Richard, US Pop No. 10, UK No. 8

As producer 1957: "You Send Me" (Sam Cooke), US Pop No. 1, UK No. 29 1964: "Ooh Poop A Doo" / "Merry Christmas Baby" (Warner Bros.) - Ike & Tina Turner 1964: Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show, US Pop No. 126, US R&B No. 8 1967: The Ike & Tina Turner Show – Vol. 2 1981: Shot of Love (Bob Dylan)