Bert Berns
November 8, 1929 – December 30, 1967
Bert Berns was a prolific songwriter and record producer whose impact on popular music cannot be denied. His most celebrated songs as a songwriter include “Hang on Sloopy” (the McCoys), “Twist and Shout” (the Isley Brothers, the Beatles), “Tell Him” (the Exciters), “I Want Candy” (the Strangeloves, Bow Wow Wow), “Piece of My Heart” (Emma Franklin, Janis Joplin), and “Here Comes the Night” (Lulu, Them, David Bowie). He also produced such hits as Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” Them’s “Gloria,” and “Under the Boardwalk” by the Drifters. Berns also ran his own Atlantic affiliated label, Bang Records who was the one-time home to Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, the McCoys and many more. Bert Berns was just 38 when he died of heart failure on December 30, 1967.