Richard Gottehrer

Richard Gottehrer
Born (1940-06-12) June 12, 1940 (age 84)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Alma materAdelphi University
Occupation(s)Music producer, music executive

Richard Gottehrer (born June 12, 1940) is an American songwriter, record producer and record label executive.[1] In 1997, he co-founded The Orchard with longtime business partner Scott Cohen, an independent music distribution company. His career began as a Brill Building songwriter in the 1960s.[2] His first number one record as a songwriter and producer was "My Boyfriend's Back" by the Angels, followed by other hits like "Hang On Sloopy" by the McCoys and "I Want Candy" by the Strangeloves, of which the latter Gottehrer was a member.[3] In 1966, he formed Sire Records with Seymour Stein, which played a crucial role in the rise of new wave, and went on to launch the careers of Blondie, Madonna, Ramones and Talking Heads.[4] His career continued as producer for the Go-Go's' 1981 debut album, Dr. Feelgood, Richard Hell, the Bongos, Richard Barone, Moonpools & Caterpillars' first release with a major label, 1995's Lucky Dumpling. In 2013, the Orchard was described as "the biggest digital music distributor on the planet".[4]

  1. ^ Sisario, Ben (September 13, 2010). "Richard Gottehrer of the Orchard". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Larkin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Gary James' Interview With Richard Gottehrer Of The Strangeloves". Classicbands.com. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b "The Sire Records Story". Soundonsound.com. Retrieved 23 January 2021.