Richard Kerr

Pianist Richard Kerr crafted some of the most exquisite pop and easy listening compositions on record as the co-writer behind Barry Manilow’s major successes “Mandy,” “Looks Like We Made It,” and “Somewhere in the Night.”

His full-time songwriting path opened after dismissal from a prior role, when his employer learned of a rock album he had cut for a modest progressive imprint. The Englishman subsequently placed material with Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Yvonne Elliman, Jennifer Warnes, Glen Campbell, and the Edwin Hawkins Singers.

Shortly after that departure he scored a British number-two single, Don Partridge’s “Blue Eyes,” which Frank Sinatra later covered. RCA Records’ London office then brought him aboard as a staff producer; finding no suitable acts, he took a Screen Gems songwriting post. There he joined lyricist and performer Scott English on “Brandy,” a distinct composition from the 1970s Looking Glass hit. The track reached Britain’s Top Ten and climbed to number 91 on the U.S. pop chart in March 1972.

Bell Records president Clive Davis urged Barry Manilow to interpret the piece as a ballad, retitled it “Mandy,” and the recording became Manilow’s debut chart entry, ascending to number one pop on 18 January 1975. Around 1976, during a Hollywood visit, Kerr aligned with Rondor Music, A&M Records’ European publishing arm. Initially paired with Carpenters songwriter John Bettis, he met lyricist Will Jennings through Irving Music executive Lance Freed. Their debut collaboration, “Somewhere in the Night,” marked Kerr’s first U.S. success, reaching number 19 pop for Helen Reddy in 1975. A second Kerr-Jennings song, “Looks Like We Made It,” delivered Manilow’s third number-one pop single on 23 July 1977; Manilow’s own reading of “Somewhere in the Night” peaked at number nine pop in 1978.

Kerr’s debut solo album, Welcome to the Club, appeared on A&M Records in November 1978. Produced by Chris Bond of Hall and Oates, the set blended solid MOR pop, with Kerr supplying acoustic grand and electric piano while co-authoring all ten tracks alongside frequent partners Jennings, Gary Osborne, and Bettis. Additional Kerr albums comprise From Now Until, Somewhere in the Night, and Same. Richard Kerr’s passing was reported on 11 December 2023 at the age of 78.