Jerry Ragovoy
Jordan "Jerry" Ragovoy (September 4, 1930 – July 13, 2011) was an American songwriter and record producer.
Jerry Ragovoy | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jordan Ragovoy |
| Also known as | Norman Meade |
| Born | September 4, 1930 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | July 13, 2011 (aged 80) |
| Genres | Pop music |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, record producer, studio owner |
| Years active | 1953–2003 |
His best-known composition "Time Is on My Side" (written under the pseudonym of Norman Meade) was made famous by the Rolling Stones, although it had been recorded earlier by Kai Winding and Irma Thomas. Ragovoy also wrote "Stay With Me", which was originally recorded by Lorraine Ellison and made famous by Bette Midler in her film The Rose. It was also performed by Mary J. Blige at the 49th Grammy Awards.
He also wrote "Piece of My Heart" which became a significant hit for Big Brother and the Holding Company, featuring Janis Joplin. During the 1960s, Ragovoy "helped mould the new African-American sound of soul music", according to the obituary in The Guardian. During this venture, he co-wrote the Afro-pop dance song "Pata Pata" with Miriam Makeba; the song became a major hit for Makeba and was covered by numerous other artists.
He was the founder of The Hit Factory.