Bobby Susser
Bobby Susser in recording studio November 5, 2010
Background information
Birth name	Robert Howard Susser
Born	(1942-07-18) July 18, 1942 (age 69)
Origin	New York City, New York, United States
Genres	Children's music, rhythm and blues, novelty songs, pop music
Occupations	Songwriter, record producer, performer
Instruments	Guitar
Years active	1962–present
Labels	Amy Records, United Artists Records, Veep Records, Laurie Records, Susser Records, New Hope Records
Website	http://www.bobbysusser.com

Bobby Susser (born Robert Howard Susser, July 18, 1942), and also known as Bob Susser, is a multi-award winning, American songwriter, record producer, and performer, best known for his young children's music. Susser has sold over 5 million children's albums.^[1]

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Born in New York City, to middle class Jewish American parents, (His father, of German descent, was a factory supervisor, while his mother, of Hungarian descent, was a housewife), in the borough of Manhattan, Susser grew up in the borough of Queens, and attended Jamaica High School. He was a baseball pitcher and was honored by New York City as its "Most Valuable Player" within The New York City Baseball Federation League, 1957.^[2][3] During his high school years, he wrote songs for some of his favorite artists, such as Dion and The Drifters. But, at the time, all of his attempts to reach these artists were unsuccessful. Four decades later, in 1998, Ben E. King, lead singer of the Drifters, recorded an entire award winning collection of Susser's children's songs titled, "I Have Songs In My Pocket".^[4] Susser graduated from Queens College, City University of New York, Magna cum laude, with a BA in communications. He received an MA in communications and early childhood education from Teachers College, Columbia University, where he studied with Canadian scholar, and communication theorist, Marshall McLuhan.^[4] In 1961 he received an honorable discharge for serving in the United States Army.

1960s and 1970s[link]

After producing four singles in 1961, and 1962 with his childhood friend Paul Simon, for the group Tico and The Triumphs, which included Susser's first Billboard Hot 100 chart record "Motorcycle," on Amy Records, he concentrated on writing and producing rhythm and blues songs. In 1963, he wrote, produced, and sold the master recording of the song "Kiss Me Now", sung by Florence DeVore, to Phil Spector. The record was the first release on Spector's new Philles Records subsidiary label, Phi-Dan Records, and received a great deal of critical praise, and interest within the music industry.^[5][6]

From 1965 through 1973, he continued to write and produce songs for Florence DeVore, as well as for, Sharon Redd, Lily Fields, Mamie Lee, Morgana King, Robert John, and Trini Lopez. In 1971 he wrote and produced the controversial song "Once You Understand" on Laurie Records, sung by his own studio group, Think. After being banned from radio stations in several major cities, the anti-drug, novelty song sold 1.4 million records in the United States.^[7][8] The song was also a top 5 hit in England and Germany, and later was sampled and covered by artists Biz Markie, Acen, 4 Hero, and De La Soul.^[9][10]

Susser started receiving letters from churches, synagogues, and schools inviting him to play his song and talk with teenagers about its anti-drug message. This gave him a new direction and purpose, and he started to write and produce songs and activities for children, ages 4 through 8. He registered the name, Bobby Susser Songs For Children, and the series began. Titles from the early 1970s include "Learning Basic Awareness Through Music," "Pre-Physical Education Through Music," "Pre-Square Dance," "Let's Act As Consumers," and his series for young pre-readers, Doctor Alphabet.^[11] In 1976, Diana Ross recorded "Kiss Me Now",^[12] on her second, self titled album.

1980s and 1990s[link]

The Bobby Susser Logo Shot, 1996.

During the 1980s, he visited schools with his young children's songs. At that same time he also wrote and produced songs for his own pop, studio group, The Bobby Susser Generation. But he left that project, and went back to his first love, writing and producing young children's music. He continued to appear in schools with songs and activities for his very young, early childhood audiences. In 1992, he formed a new record company, New Hope Records, in order to administer the distribution, sales, and license rights of his recordings. He wrote and produced songs for thematic albums, and by 1996 they had become some of the most popular young children's songs and recordings ever used in day care centers, schools, churches, synagogues, and homes.^[13] He created The Bobby Susser Singers, The Bobby Susser Children's Chorus, and a logo caricature of himself, drawn from a photograph, for his series, "Bobby Susser Songs For Children", ages 2 through 8. Michael Green, was often the lead male vocalist, and Deanna Jones, was often the lead female vocalist on several of the early recordings within this series.^[14] By 1998, Susser broadened his guest list of vocalists, and began working with a greater variety of adult and children singers who joined him, and made guest appearances on his song series for young children. He continued to make changes in his personnel of singers and players depending upon the song, style, and subject matter, without ever losing his unique and popular, vocal and musical touches that are undoubtedly recognizable in the world of young children's music and songs.^[15] In the year of 1999, he went back to visit young children's classrooms and lectured on the subject of young children's songs.

2000s[link]

From 2002 through 2004, he wrote, recorded, and added four new collections to his young children's series (I Need You and You Need Me, Respect and Confidence, Early Learning Sing-Along, and My Day/In Motion and Play), and received the Parents' Choice Award for the first three.^[16] In June 2008, Susser released the collection of original young children's songs All Roads Leads To Home.^[17] One review stated, "All Roads Lead To Home is a very solid choice to use with preschoolers, and its additional song, '70 (Bringin' It Home To You)', for all ages, makes for a wider family appeal"^[18] and another said, "All Roads Lead To Home" is headed for the group of classic and standard young children's recordings." ^[19]

In February 2009, Susser's children's series surpassed 5 million albums sold.^[20] In September 2009, Susser released AMERICA: An Album For All Ages. By December, the new album received Dr.Toy's Best Audio-Video-CD Product Award for 2009,^[21] and was cited as "An American Treasure Of Songs."^[22]

2010s[link]

On April 22, 2010, AMERICA: An Album For All Ages, was designated a 2010 Parents' Choice Award winner.^[23]

In January 2011, it was announced, in a magazine of the school supply industry, that Susser will embark on a library tour. According to the news, he will be visiting children's libraries throughout The United States. It was stated that, "He will be starting in the northeast, in the spring of 2011." Susser said, "I plan to make this, somewhat of an 'ongoing tour', and I will continue to write songs, and record them."^[24] But, in an interview with eplay, he stated, that as of July 2011, he had to cancel touring indefinitely, due to a neck injury. He returned to the recording studio, and at the end of December 2011, in a career spanning 5 decades, that produced some of the best collections of children's songs, Susser completed his 25th album for children of all ages. He titled the collection of 12 new songs, WO!^[25]

The new album was released on April 3, 2012, and the press responded very favorably, by noting, " WO! is a magnificent collection of songs for children of all ages, from a magnificent children's song man",^[26] and, "In the past forty years, Bobby Susser has recorded some of the best children's albums, and his work gets better with each one. WO! is no exception. It is his 25th children's album, and his finest to date. WO! should be a favorite, and a sure classic, for children of all ages."^[27] It was further stated, "With WO!, Bobby Susser has raised the bar in children's music higher than we could have imagined."^[28]

Other contributions and accolades[link]

He has also written, produced, performed, and contributed the official theme song "Bikewell Bear And St. Jude," for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Billboard Magazine said that "Bobby Susser is unusually prolific and consistently does excellent work."^[29] Manhattan School of Music has stated, "Bobby Susser has the rare ability to return to childhood at will. He is a master at communicating, teaching, entertaining, and stimulating young children through his believable and original songs."^[30] Early Childhood News says, "Bobby Susser is unlike other children's musical artists in that he writes for them (the children), not for himself. He knows what catches their imaginations, and he brings that sensitive awareness to his very enjoyable songs."^[31]

As a writer, Bobby Susser wrote:

• The educational papers, "Implications of Rearing and Educating Children," 1975 and 1976; (Columbia University Press)
• "The Lollipop Music Theory," 2003 (found on his web site and Dr.Toy's web site - see external links)
• "Choosing Songs for Children," 2004 (found on his web site and Dr. Toy's web site - see external links)
• Activities, purpose and parent/teacher notes for every title in the series "Bobby Susser Songs for Children."

Personal life[link]

Susser is a long time resident of Long Island and lives by the bay with his wife, Jan , who is a school teacher. Susser has one married son, two married daughters, and eight grandchildren. He loves baseball and watches the New York Yankees whenever he can.^[32]

Discography[link]

Most popular children's albums[link]

• We Are Better Together (Produced And Written, 1994)
• The Album For All Seasons (Produced And Written, 1995)
• Wiggle Wiggle and Other Exercises (Produced And Written, 1996). Often referred to as "the benchmark collection of young children's exercise songs."^[33]
• Animals At The Zoo (Produced And Written, 1997)
• I Have Songs In My Pocket (Produced And Written, 1998)
• I Need You And You Need Me (Produced And Written, 2002)
• Respect And Confidence (Produced And Written, 2002)
• Early Learning Sing-Along (Produced And Written, 2003)
• My Day/In Motion And Play (Produced And Written, 2004)
• All Roads Lead To Home (Produced And Written, 2008). Includes the song, "70 (Bringin' It Home To You)."
• AMERICA: An Album For All Ages (Produced And Written, 2009). Includes the singles, "America", and "Dancing In The USA."
• WO! (Produced And Written, 2012)

Other albums[link]

• Encounter (Produced And Written, 1971)
• Learning Basic Awareness Through Music (Produced And Written, 1972)
• Pre-Physical Education Through Music (Produced And Written, 1972)
• Pre-Square Dance Music (Produced And Written, 1972)
• Let's Act (Produced And Written, 1972)
• Pre-Driver's Education Through Music (Produced And Written, 1973)
• Learning Responsibility Through Music (Produced And Written, 1973)
• Let's Act As Consumers (Produced And Written, 1973)
• Motivating Thought Processes Through Music (Produced And Written, 1973)
• Doctor Alphabet (Produced And Written, 1974)
• Growing Up With A Song (Produced And Written, 1992)
• Songs For Your Day (Produced And Written, 1992)
• Everybody Needs Somebody (Produced And Written, 1993)

Singles[link]

• I Don't Believe Them, Tico And The Triumphs (Produced, 1961)
• Motorcycle, Tico And The Triumphs (Produced, 1961)
• Wildflower, Tico And The Triumphs (Produced, 1962)
• Express Train, Tico And The Triumphs (Produced, 1962)
• Cry Lil Boy, Cry, Tico And The Triumphs (Produced, 1962)
• Get Up And Do The Wobble, Tico And The Triumphs (Produced 1962)
• Kiss Me Now, Florence DeVore (Produced And Written, 1965)
• We're Not Old Enough, Florence DeVore (Produced And Written, 1965)
• The Guy Next Door, Florence DeVore (Produced And Written, 1966)
• That Tangerine, The Troys (Written, 1966)
• Up To Now, Trini Lopez (Written, 1967)
• Gotta Fit You Into My Life, The Troys (Written, 1967)
• I Can Feel Him Slipping Away, Mamie Lee (Written, 1967)
• Half As Much, Sharon Redd (Produced, 1968)
• Do You Want Me?, Sharon Redd (Produced And Written, 1968)
• I've Got A Feeling, Sharon Redd (Produced And Written, 1968)
• Since I Lost You, Sharon Redd (Produced And Written, 1968)
• Once You Understand, Think (Produced And Written, 1971)
• It's Not The World, It's The People, Think (Produced And Written, 1972)
• He Doesn't Love You, Florence DeVore (Produced And Written, 1972)
• He's Got The Money Bags, Florence DeVore (Produced And Written, 1972)
• It Takes A Lot Of Love To Love Me, Florence DeVore (Produced And Written, 1973)
• Look Out, Florence DeVore (Produced And Written, 1973)
• All That I Know, The Bobby Susser Generation (Produced And Written, 1982)
• On My Mind, The Bobby Susser Generation (Produced And Written, 1984)
• All Roads Lead To Home, The Bobby Susser Singers (Produced And Written, 2008)
• America, The Bobby Susser Singers (Produced And Written, 2009)
• Dancing In The USA, The Bobby Susser Singers (Produced And Written, 2010)

Awards and recognition[link]

• Parents' Choice Award (5 times) for his ongoing series "Bobby Susser Songs For Children."
• Early Childhood News Directors' Choice Award (6 times)
• Dr.Toy/Institute for Childhood Resources 100 Best Children's Products Award (6 times), 10 Best Audio-Video Products Award (5 times), Best Classic Products Award (2 times), 10 Best Socially Responsible Products Award (3 times), Best Children's Vacation Products Award (2 times).

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website for Bobby Susser
• http://www.drtoy.com
• http://parents-choice.org/

Sharon Redd (October 19, 1945 - May 1, 1992^[2]) was an American singer from New York. She was the half sister of R&B singer Pennye Ford.

Biography and career[link]

Sharon Redd was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Gene Redd and Katherine Redd. Gene Redd was a producer and musical director at King Records, and her stepfather performed with Benny Goodman's orchestra. Her brother Gene Redd Jr. was a songwriter and producer for Kool & the Gang and BMP.^[3] Her sister Pennye Ford is also a singer with two albums to her credit.^[4][4]

She began her recording career with four singles in 1968 for the United Artists label, three written and all four produced by songwriter and record producer Bobby Susser. Susser chose the Hank Williams song "Half As Much" to be Redd's first single. Redd's vocals, against Susser's heavy-bass track, made her presence very quickly known to R&B radio stations.^[5]

Redd, as a budding actress, got a major break when she starred in an Australian production of the rock musical Hair. She was among a troupe of young African-American imports to the Sydney production, a group which notably included Marcia Hines. Redd appeared in the production from its June 6, 1969 premiere through 1971.

As Redd was becoming famous in Australia, she was interviewed by Barry Sloane on a 1971 episode of "GTK".^[6] Her popular adverts for Amoco led to her own television special. Redd and Hair co-star Teddy Williams were asked to leave Australia by the Immigration Department in April 1971 for reasons they believed were race-motivated.^[7][8] Aside from Hair, Redd also appeared in Ti-Jean and His Brothers and, in 1974, traveled to London to star in an American production of The Wedding of Iphigenia. In 1977 Redd played the role of Sherrye in the U.S. television sitcom "Rhoda".^[9][10] 1978 also saw Redd feature as a guest in the musical Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.^[11]

In the mid-1970s, Bette Midler was looking to replace Merle Miller and Gail Kantor, both of whom had left after Midler's 1973 tour to pursue their own interests. Midler auditioned over 70 performers, but Redd landed the job, becoming one of Bette's Harlettes.^[12] Aside from performing as a Harlette, Redd also provided backing vocals for Carol Douglas ("Burnin'" and "Night Fever") and Norman Connors ("You Are My Starship"). Having ended their association with Midler, Redd, Charlotte Crossley, & Ula Hedwig released an LP, Formerly of the Harlettes, in late 1977.

In 1979, Redd recorded the disco hit "Love Insurance," released by Panorama Records under the name Front Page, her own vocals going uncredited. But she soon signed a recording contract with Prelude Records, and Redd became the label's most successful artist. Her first album, 1980's self-titled Sharon Redd, was closely followed by two more—Redd Hott (1982) and Love How You Feel (1983). Redd placed several songs on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, including "Beat the Street," "In the Name of Love," and "Love How You Feel."

After these releases, Sharon Redd returned to her successful career as a background vocalist, most notably with the group Soirée, which also included among its members Luther Vandross and Jocelyn Brown. Followng the UK top 20 success of a re-recorded "Can You Handle It", she recorded a single entitled "All the Way to Love", with Les Adams. The song remains unreleased. This was to be her last solo recording.

In the midst of mounting a comeback in the early 1990s, Redd died of pneumonia on May 1, 1992. Dance Music Report magazine reported that her death was AIDS-related.^[13]

In 1993, Pennye Ford dropped the 'e' from her name and released the album Penny Ford, which featured a duet with her sister entitled "Under Pressure."

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• 1980: Sharon Redd - Prelude
• 1982: Redd Hot - (#1 - Hot Dance Club Play - LP All Cuts, UK #59)
• 1983: Love How You Feel - Prelude
• 1989: Beat the Street: The Best of Sharon Redd - Unidisc
• 1994: Deep Beats: Essential Dancefloor Artists Vol. 3: Sharon Redd - 1994 - Deep Beats^[2]

Singles[link]

• 1967: "Half As Much" (Veep V-1263, May 1967)
• 1968: "Do You Want Me?" (United Artists, 1968)
• 1968: "I've Got A Feeling" (United Artists, 1968)
• 1968: "Since I Lost You" (United Artists, 1968)
• 1969: "Easy To Be Hard" (1969, AU #32)
• 1971: "Where The Mind Can Breathe" with Groove Myers (Amoco)
• 1979: "Love Insurance"
• 1980: "Can You Handle It" (1981) - (UK #31, US R&B #57)
• 1980: "You Got My Love"
• 1982: "Beat The Street" (US Dance #1, US R&B #41) ‡
• 1982: "Never Give You Up" (US Dance #1, UK #20) ‡
• 1982: "In The Name Of Love" (US Dance #1, UK #31, NL #11) ‡
• 1983: "You're a Winner"
• 1983: "Love How You Feel" (UK #39)
• 1984: "Undercover Girl"
• 1984: "Liar On The Wire" (US Dance #33)
• 1984: "Undercover Girl" (Prelude)
• 1988: "Second to None" (Payne Records)
• 1992: "Can You Handle It" with DNA (re-recording, 1992) (UK #17, NL #62, NZ #41) †

† DNA featuring Sharon Redd

‡ Denotes tracks from US Dance-charting LP Redd Hot which included all cuts.

^[2]

See also[link]

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

References[link]

External links[link]

• Soulwalking.co.uk
• Discogs.com
• The Staggering Harlettes