Died On This Date (December 30, 1967) Bert Berns / Legendary Songwriter and Label Head
themusicsover 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.
Dean Martin was a pop music, television and film star who was one of the biggest names in entertainment during the ’60s and ’70s. He and his pals, 
Eartha Kitt was a star of stage and screen but also scored a few pop hits over the course of her lengthy career. Her exotic presence on film made her a pop culture icon who is beloved to this day. She is perhaps best remembered for her campy role as Catwoman on the ’60s television series, Batman. She also appeared in such films as St. Louis Blues and The Mark of the Hawk. Kitt made several recordings throughout her career, but it is her 1953 version of “Santa Baby” that is her most famous. She also had hits with “Where Is My Man” and “Under The Bridges of Paris.” Kitt continued to work on stage and film up until the final years of her life. On December 25, 2008, Eartha Kitt died of colon cancer at the age of 81.
