09/28/16: 3-Time Grammy Award Winning Producer/Engineer, Russ Titelman

Vinyl Night

Born in Los Angeles, Russ Titelman grew up in the hot 50’s musical environment and quickly made contacts which would aid him throughout his long career. The most important of these was Phil Spector. After making his debut as a guitarist on the Paris Sisters’ ‘Be My Boy’ in 1961, Titelman became a full-time member of the Spectors Three- Vocal Trio. After graduating from Fairfax high school, Russ studied drama at Los Angeles City College.He returned to the music industry and with friends recorded a song entitled ‘Just A Little Touch Of Your Love’. Songwriter Barry Mann took Titelman to New York, where he wrote songs for the Cinderellas, Chiffons, Lesley Gore Brian Wilson. He also arranged for Carole King. In 1964 he joined the Shindig television house band, at which time he also appeared on Righteous Brothers and Phil Ochs sessions. Moving in to film work, he collaborated with Jack Nitzsche on “Village Of The Giants” and “Candy”, before recording ‘Memo From Turner’ with Ry Cooder and Randy Newman for the Mick Jagger film. That soundtrack started Titelman’s 25 year association with Warner Brothers Records. Through his friendship with Lowell George he produced Little Feat’s debut album, but he did not become a full-time staff member at Warners until 1971. He became friend and producer to Randy Newman, and through the 70s worked on projects with James Taylor, Graham Central Station, Rickie Lee Jones and George Harrison. In the early 80s he produced “Stompin At The Savoy” for Rufus and Chaka Khan, and co-produced Paul Simon’s “Hearts And Bones”. He also produced Steve Winwood’s “Back In The Highlife” album, possibly Winwood’s best work. His work with jazz and RB artists has paired him with George Benson, David Sanborn and Patti Austin. From 89-94 he worked with Eric Clapton’s Journeyman, 24 Nights, Unplugged and From The Cradle. He has numerous gold and multi-platinum albums and singles, tech awards, Grammy nominations and 3 Grammy awards: HigherLove-Winwood, Tears in Heaven, Rush and Unplugged-Clapton. Russ is a member of The Jazz Foundation of America, The Tibet House Annual Concert committee and the Friars Club.