Allan In The News
Read this wonderful article in SHINE ON HOLLYWOOD MAGAZINE. (click on the picture)
Here is another feature from SONGWRITER MAGAZINE profiling Allan.
When Cathy Spanberger, President of Peer Music, introduced Allan Rich to one of her new writers, Jud Friedman, in 1989, the first song they ever wrote together became a #1 hit, James Ingram’s “I Don’t Have the Heart.” Incredible starts like this are, more times than not, just beginners luck in the music industry. But not this time. The songwriting duo then went on to write a break-up song, which was rewritten to be a love song and a massive hit: “Run to You,” recorded by Whitney Houston from the movie The Bodyguard, whose soundtrack sold an incredible 45 million+ CDs and earned them a nomination for an Oscar and a GRAMMY. Still no stopping the pair when Kenny Loggins recorded “For the First Time” for the film One Fine Day with Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney, garnering them yet another Oscar and GRAMMY nod as well as a Golden Globe nomination. Barbra Streisand, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Leann Rimes, Chaka Khan, and countless other superstars have recorded their songs, earning the two writers even more accolades. And that’s just in the U.S.
The two have co-written among many other smashes, “E’ L’Amore Che Conta/Hostage,” a No. 1 hit with Italian diva Giorgia, as well as “Sexaholic” with Right Said Fred. They have cuts with artists ranging from Rachael Leahcar, the star of the Australian The Voice, as well as X Factor winner Melani Amaro, Canadian Tenors, composer/performer Yanni, and other artists in Russia and India. They also returned to the screen with “After the Rain,” the end title to Playing for Keeps, staring Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Dennis Quaid, Uma Thurman and Catherine Zeta-Jones, as well as other TV and film projects.
Summing it all up, Allan Rich is quoted as saying, “Networking is crucial. I’m a true believer that the person sitting next to you could be the most important collaborator in your life, or the person who creates your sound.” BMI congratulates Allan and Jud on being honored by the LA Music Awards and for 25 years of making monster hits!
ALLAN RICH SONGS
Songwriter Allan Rich discusses writing for the divas
By Daniel Vaillancourt, Special to Desert Outlook9:33 a.m. PST November 23, 2015
Brooklyn-born, Los Angeles-based lyricist Allan Rich is a multiple Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe nominee who’s put words into the melodious mouths of many a musical legend, including Barbra, Natalie, Tina, Dolly, Chaka, Patti, Toni, LeAnn, and Kristine W, to name but nine whose appeal to gay men is indisputable. Perhaps most famously, Rich co-wrote the Oscar-nominated “Run to You,” Whitney Houston’s smash hit from the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard,” a 1992 album that’s sold a whopping 45 million units worldwide, and that remains the best-selling soundtrack of all time more than 20 years later. A man with several desert ties, Rich sat for a chat.
<<How often do you come to the desert?>>
I come to Palm Springs several times a year and have such a great time when I’m there. My dear friend Josh Levin lives there, and that’s where I usually stay. Then there’s my dear friends, Realtor Mark Freeman and Glenn Rosenblum, who have a second home there, and songwriting buddy Marvin Marrow. And real estate agent Patrick Stewart and Mitch Chen live there as well, as does Neil Cohen, with whom I wrote the gay wedding song [“Here We Stand”]. I love shopping on El Paseo and going to Macy’s and all the fun restaurants. It’s two hours away from hectic L.A. but it feels like a world away when I’m there.
<<Writing Whitney Houston's "Run to You" for "The Bodyguard" soundtrack brought a great deal of recognition for Jud Friedman (left) and Allan Rich, shown here with numerous plaques the song and album received. (Photo: Submitted)
Tell me more about the “Here We Stand” collaboration.>>
Neil, who’s a longtime friend of mine, called and told me he was getting married to his longtime partner, Claude, and he wanted to surprise him with an original song to play at the wedding after he walked down the aisle. I said “Sure,” and I suggested Marsha [Malamet] join us. And the rest is history. By the way, the song worked beautifully and Neil sang the you-know-what out of it. You can go [to YouTube] and check it out. There’s a lovely video that goes along with it using many longtime gay married couples. It’s very touching and sweet.
<<Keeping with the Palm Springs theme, it was after co-writing three songs with Barry Manilow for his 1985 “Manilow” album that you were finally able to quit your two day jobs. Have you stayed in touch?>>
I can’t say enough good things about Barry. Love him to pieces. I was a totally unknown entity recommended by record producer Howie Rice, and he took a chance on me. And Barry was always one of my favorite performers before I ever met him. I played his records over and over again. He moved me and touched me. And Marty Panzer, one of Barry’s main lyricists, is one of the reasons I’m a lyricist.
One of the most exciting moments was seeing Barry open up his show at the Greek Theatre coming down the steps singing our song, “I’m Your Man.” Unfortunately, it was pouring rain that night. I was so nervous and excited that I left my tickets home and someone had to drive back home and get them. I will always be grateful to Barry for his friendship and incredible talent. I haven’t seen him in quite a while, but email him several times during the year.>>.
<<Allan Rich with singer Oleta Adams, who recorded "I Had To Hear Your Voice" (Photo: Submitted)
You’ve written for so many of the greats. Is there one or two that got away — performers you wish had recorded one of your songs?>>
I would’ve loved Aretha to have recorded one. Or Celine Dion. Or Pink. Or Christina Aguilera.
<<Of the newer generation of talents, for whom would you like to write?>>
John Legend, Pink, Sam Smith. And, of course, Beyoncé.
<<Is there a song you didn’t write that you wish you had?>>
Well, my favorite song is “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Wish I had written any of those Motown hits. But I do love “Brave” by Sara Bareilles. Or “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” a hit for Bonnie Raitt. Or “Get Here,” the wonderful Brenda Russell song that Oleta [Adams] had the hit with. Or “Beautiful” for Christina Aguilera. Or “All of Me,” the John Legend song. Or “Say Something” by A Great Big World.
<<Allan Rich (right) with fellow songwriters Burt Bacharach and Brenda Russell. (Photo: Submitted)
<<How did you become involved in “The Bodyguard” project???
Well, when we heard about the movie, every songwriter who had a publisher got a breakdown of the songs that were needed. There were approximately four or five slots. One ended up being [Dolly Parton’s] “I Will Always Love You,” which was a cover. The other cover was “I’m Every Woman.” And David Foster, who produced the record, wrote one with Linda Thompson, “I Have Nothing.” And one Babyface and Whitney wrote, “Queen of the Night.” So there was only one slot left for every songwriter in the world to try and land.
Both Jud Friedman, my writing partner of 25 years, and I had our publishers strategically get our song to Gerry Griffith, who worked for [Arista Records head honcho] Clive Davis. I still have the message Clive left on my answering machine telling me that Whitney and Clive loved the song, and to please call him. I thank God that every star aligned and that “Run to You” happened for us. Believe me, it takes a miracle sometimes for things to happen.
<<Allan Rich with Natalie Cole, for whom he wrote "I Live For Your Love.">> (Photo: Submitted)
<<What can you tell us about “The Bodyguard” the musical, which comes to the U.S. in 2016 after a successful run in London?>>
I went to the opening in London, and the show is what we call a jukebox musical. It’s not only the songs from “The Bodyguard” but the hit songs that Whitney had in her career. The audiences were swinging from the chandelier. And Heather Headley was so spectacular. There were no words. Deborah Cox is supposed to play the Whitney Houston role [in America]. She is as talented as she is gorgeous. I think she will bring it. I can’t wait to see it in Los Angeles.
