We give so much praise to the singers and musicians who make music that we love, but never enough credit goes to the songwriters. A writer from Philadelphia named Jerry Ragovoy, was influential in shaping the sound of soul music.
Jerry was born September 4th, 1930. He got involved in record production in his early twenties with a Philadelphia R&B vocal group called the Castelles. The shimmering tenor voice of George Grant, lead singer of the Castelles, influenced the sound of Philadelphia vocal groups for generations to come. In addition to the 1953 hit “My Girl Awaits Me,” the Castelles recorded Jerry Ragovoy’s first composition, “This Silver Ring.”
In my interview with Jerry Ragavoy, many years ago, he was dismissive of his early work. I had to remind him that the work that he did with the Castelles and other groups in the 50s would pave the way for later groups like the Delfonics and the Stylistics. But what mattered most was that Jerry Ragovoy continued writing.
He had some success with pop material in the early 60s including, “A Wonderful Dream” by a vocal group called the Majors, but it was in 1963 after meeting another writer named Bert Berns that Jerry Ragovoy co-wrote his first million selling hit, “Cry Baby” for Garnet Mimms & the Enchanters.
Using Norman Meade as a pen name, Jerry Ragovoy continued to write a number of unforgettable songs, some of the most famous of which is “Time Is on My Side,” first recorded by New Orleans singer Irma Thomas then covered by the Rolling Stones. Another was “Piece of My Heart,” first recorded by Aretha Franklin’s sister Erma and later covered by Janis Joplin.
Jerry also co-wrote “Pata Pata” for South African singer, Miriam Makeba. Later in the 60s Jerry Ragovoy opened The Hit Factory. “Songs in the Key of Life” by Stevie Wonder was one of many albums recorded at The Hit Factory. Jerry Ragovoy, AKA Norman Meade, died on July 13, 2011.
Featured Tracks:
Stay with Me - Lorraine Ellison
Ain't Nobody Home - Howard Tate
My Girl Awaits Me - Castelles
This Silver Ring - Castelles
A Wonderful Dream - Majors
Cry Baby - Garnet Mimms & the Enchanters
Time Is on My Side - Irma Thomas
Time Is on My Side - Rolling Stones
Piece of My Heart - Erma Franklin
Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin
Pata Pata - Miriam Makeba
Deeper cuts:
You Got Just What You Asked For - Estelle Brown
Stay with Me - Terry Reid
I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face - Baby Washington
Pretty Red Lips - Major Harris
Piece of My Heart - Mavis Staples & Eddie Floyd
