Albert Louis Hammond
OBE (born 18 May 1944) is a
British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies.
** Britishness, the British identity and common culture
* British English, ...
-
Gibraltarian
The Gibraltarians (Spanish: ''gibraltareños'', colloquially: '' llanitos'') are an ethnic group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranea ...
singer, songwriter, and record producer. A prolific songwriter, he also collaborated with other songwriters such as
Mike Hazlewood,
John Bettis
John Gregory Bettis (born October 24, 1946) is an American lyricist. He was originally part of the band Spectrum, which also featured Richard and Karen Carpenter. He wrote the lyrics for " Top of the World", a hit for both Lynn Anderson and Th ...
,
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren (born September 7, 1956) is an American songwriter. She has received several awards including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three ''Billboard'' Music Awards and an Honorary Academy Award.
Wa ...
,
Holly Knight
''Ilex'' (), or holly, is a genus of over 570 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. ''Ilex'' has the most species of any woody dioecious angiosperm genus. The species are evergreen o ...
and
Carole Bayer Sager
Carole Bayer Sager (born Carol Bayer on March 8, 1947) is an American lyricist, singer, and songwriter.
Early life and career
Bayer Sager was born in Manhattan, New York City, to Anita Nathan Bayer and Eli Bayer. Her family was Jewish. She grad ...
. Hammond's son
Albert Hammond Jr. is a guitarist with American band
the Strokes
The Strokes are an American rock band from New York City. Formed in 1998, the band is composed of lead singer and songwriter Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fabrizio Mor ...
.
Hammond wrote commercially successful singles for artists including
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion ( ; born 30 March 1968) is a Canadian singer. Noted for her powerful and technically skilled vocals, Dion is the best-selling Canadian recording artist, and the best-selling French-language artist of all time. Her ...
,
Joe Dolan
Joseph Francis Robert Dolan (16 October 1939 – 26 December 2007) was an Irish entertainer, recording artist, and pop singer. Chiefly known in Ireland for his association with showbands and for his innovative style and high pitched singing v ...
,
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin ( ; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the " Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in '' Rolling Stone''s "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Wit ...
,
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and actress. Nicknamed "Honorific nicknames in popular music, The Voice", she is Whitney Houston albums discography, one of the bestselling music artists ...
,
Diana Ross
Diana Ross (born March 26, 1944) is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame as the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes, who became Motown's most successful act during the 1960s and one of the world's best-selling girl groups ...
,
Leo Sayer
Gerard Hugh "Leo" Sayer (born 21 May 1948) is an English-Australian singer and songwriter whose singing career has spanned five decades. He has been an Australian citizen and resident since 2009.
Sayer launched his career in the United Kingdom ...
,
Tina Turner
Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) is an American-born Swiss retired singer and actress. Widely referred to as the " Queen of Rock 'n' Roll", she rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue before ...
,
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell (April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017) was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, actor and television host. He was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting '' The Glen Campbell Good ...
,
Julio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva (; born 23 September 1943) is a Spanish singer, songwriter and former professional footballer. Iglesias is recognized as the most commercially successful Spanish singer in the world and one of the top record ...
,
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and ''Stardust'' (1978 ...
,
Lynn Anderson
Lynn Renée Anderson (September 26, 1947 – July 30, 2015) was an American country singer and television personality. Her crossover signature recording, " Rose Garden," was a number one hit in the United States and internationally. She chart ...
and
Bonnie Tyler
Gaynor Sullivan (née Hopkins; born 8 June 1951), known professionally as Bonnie Tyler, is a Welsh singer who is known for her distinctive husky voice. Tyler came to prominence with the release of her 1977 album '' The World Starts Tonight'' a ...
, and bands
Ace of Base,
Air Supply
Air Supply is a soft rock duo formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1975. It consists of Englishman Graham Russell (vocals, guitar) and Australian Russell Hitchcock (vocals). They had a succession of hits worldwide, including eight top-five ...
,
Blue Mink
Blue Mink were a British six-piece pop group that existed from 1969 to 1977. Over that period they had six Top 20 hit singles in the UK Singles Chart, and released five studio based albums. According to AllMusic: "they have been immortalised on ...
,
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
, image_map =
, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordinates =
, coordinates_footnotes =
, subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...
,
Heart
The heart is a muscular Organ (biology), organ in most animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as ca ...
,
Living in a Box,
the Carpenters
The Carpenters (officially known as Carpenters) were an American vocal and instrumental duo consisting of siblings Karen (1950–1983) and Richard Carpenter (born 1946). They produced a distinct, soft, musical style, combining Karen's contr ...
,
the Hollies
The Hollies are a British pop rock band, formed in 1962. One of the leading British groups of the 1960s and into the mid-1970s, they are known for their distinctive three-part vocal harmony style. Allan Clarke and Graham Nash founded the band ...
,
the Pipkins,
Starship
A starship, starcraft, or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between planetary systems.
The term is mostly found in science fiction. Reference to a "star-ship" appears as early as 1882 in '' Oahspe: A Ne ...
, and
Westlife
Westlife is an Irish pop vocal group formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1998. The group currently consists of members Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne. Brian McFadden was a member, until he left in 2004. The group temporar ...
. Notable songs co-written by Hammond include "
Make Me an Island
"Make Me an Island" is a 1969 hit song by Irish pop singer Joe Dolan, written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. The lyric begins "Different eyes, different size, different girls every day". The song topped the charts in 14 countries worldwide, ...
" and "
You're Such a Good Looking Woman "You're Such a Good Looking Woman" is a song by Irish singer Joe Dolan. The song was written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and produced by Geoffrey Everitt. It was released in 1970 becoming an international hit for Dolan, peaking at numbe ...
" by Joe Dolan, "
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" is a song co-written by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond and recorded by American rock band Starship for their second studio album, '' No Protection'' (1987). It is a power ballad duet featuring vocalists Grace Slic ...
" by Starship, "
One Moment in Time" sung by Whitney Houston, "
The Air That I Breathe
"The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by British-Gibraltarian singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, initially recorded by Hammond on his debut album, '' It Never Rains in Southern California'' (1972). It was a major hit for ...
", a hit for the Hollies, "
To All the Girls I've Loved Before
"To All the Girls I've Loved Before" is a song written by Hal David (words) and Albert Hammond (music). It was originally recorded by Hammond in 1975 on his album ''99 Miles From L.A.'', but is more famous for a 1984 recording by Julio Iglesias ...
", a Julio Iglesias/Willie Nelson duet, and "
When I Need You" by Leo Sayer. In 2015, he received the British Academy's
Ivor Novello Award
The Ivor Novello Awards, named after the entertainer Ivor Novello, are awards for songwriting and composing. They have been presented annually in London by the Ivors Academy (formerly the BASCA) since 1956, and over 1,000 statuettes have been ...
for Outstanding Song Collection.
He is also a solo singer in his own right. His biggest (and only top 20) U.S. ''Billboard'' hit was "
It Never Rains in Southern California
"It Never Rains in Southern California" is a 1972 song jointly written and composed by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and sung by Hammond, a British-born singer-songwriter.
Lyrics content
The lyrics of "It Never Rains In Southern Californi ...
", No. 5 in 1972. Other songs of his include "
Down by the River", "
The Free Electric Band
"The Free Electric Band" is a song written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and performed by Hammond. The song reached #19 on the UK Singles Chart, #11 in South Africa and #48 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1973. The song appeared ...
", "
I'm a Train
"I'm a Train" is a song written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and performed by Hammond. It was first recorded in French, in 1967, by Les Troubadours as "La chaîne". The first English version was recorded in 1968 by a UK group called Color ...
", and "
When I'm Gone". For a time, he was part of
the Family Dogg, a
vocal group
A vocal group is a performing ensemble of vocalists who sing and harmonize together. The first well-known vocals groups emerged in the 19th century, and the style had reached widespread popularity by the 1940s.
Types
Vocal groups can come in s ...
with whom he had the hit "
A Way of Life". He has also produced for a number of other artists.
Early life and success
Hammond was born in London, after his family had been evacuated from
Gibraltar
)
, anthem = " God Save the King"
, song = "Gibraltar Anthem"
, image_map = Gibraltar location in Europe.svg
, map_alt = Location of Gibraltar in Europe
, map_caption = United Kingdom shown in pale green
, mapsize =
, image_map2 = Gibr ...
during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
.
Shortly after the war they returned to Gibraltar, where he grew up.
In 1960, he started in music with
Gibraltarian
The Gibraltarians (Spanish: ''gibraltareños'', colloquially: '' llanitos'') are an ethnic group native to Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranea ...
band The Diamond Boys, which had no real commercial success, but played a part in Spain's introduction to pop and rock music. The Diamond Boys performed at the first nightclubs in
Madrid
Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), and ...
to stage modern bands, alongside Spanish rock and roll pioneers such as
Miguel Ríos
Miguel Ríos Campaña (born 7 June 1944) is a Spanish singer, composer, actor. He is one of the pioneers of rock and roll in Spain.
Biography
Ríos was born in La Cartuja, a neighborhood of Granada. The youngest of seven children, he went to w ...
. In 1966, Hammond co-founded the British vocal group
the Family Dogg, reaching number 6 on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
with "A Way of Life" in 1969,
taken from the
album of the same name.
Professional career
In 1970, at age 26, Hammond moved to the United States, continuing his professional career as a musician.
However, he had his greatest commercial success in mainland Europe. He is known for his successful singles of the 1970s, released on
Columbia
Columbia may refer to:
* Columbia (personification), the historical female national personification of the United States, and a poetic name for America
Places North America Natural features
* Columbia Plateau, a geologic and geographic region i ...
subsidiary
Mums Records
Columbia Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music, Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese Conglomerate (company), conglomerate Sony. It was founded on Janua ...
: "
Down by the River", "
It Never Rains in Southern California
"It Never Rains in Southern California" is a 1972 song jointly written and composed by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and sung by Hammond, a British-born singer-songwriter.
Lyrics content
The lyrics of "It Never Rains In Southern Californi ...
", "
The Free Electric Band
"The Free Electric Band" is a song written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and performed by Hammond. The song reached #19 on the UK Singles Chart, #11 in South Africa and #48 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in 1973. The song appeared ...
" (his only single to
chart
A chart (sometimes known as a graph) is a graphical representation for data visualization, in which "the data is represented by symbols, such as bars in a bar chart, lines in a line chart, or slices in a pie chart". A chart can represent ...
in the
UK),
"Half a Million Miles from Home", "If You Gotta Break Another Heart", "The Peacemaker", "I Don't Wanna Die in an Air Disaster", "
I'm a Train
"I'm a Train" is a song written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and performed by Hammond. It was first recorded in French, in 1967, by Les Troubadours as "La chaîne". The first English version was recorded in 1968 by a UK group called Color ...
" and "99 Miles from L.A." In 1970, under the name 'Steve & Albert', Hammond joined forces with
Steve Rowland for the single "Follow The Bouncing Ball", which they heavily promoted, particularly in the UK, where they appeared on ''
Top Of The Pops
''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British Record chart, music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show ...
'' and ''
The Basil Brush Show
''The Basil Brush Show'' is a British children's television sitcom series, starring the glove puppet fox Basil Brush. It was produced for six series by The Foundation, airing on CBBC from 27 September 2002 to 25 December 2007. The show is a s ...
'', but the single failed to chart.
Hammond also wrote songs for others with frequent collaborator
Mike Hazlewood. These include "
Little Arrows
"Little Arrows" is a single by English artist Leapy Lee. Released in 1968, it was the first single from his album ''Little Arrows''. Written by Albert Hammond & Mike Hazlewood.
Chart performance
The song peaked at number 2 in his homeland, numbe ...
" for
Leapy Lee
Lee Graham (born Graham Pulleyblank, 2 July 1939) better known by his stage name Leapy Lee, is an English singer, best known for his 1968 single " Little Arrows," which reached No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart, and was a Top 20 country and pop hit ...
, "
Make Me an Island
"Make Me an Island" is a 1969 hit song by Irish pop singer Joe Dolan, written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. The lyric begins "Different eyes, different size, different girls every day". The song topped the charts in 14 countries worldwide, ...
" (1969) (which Hammond himself recorded in a Spanish disco-style in 1979), and "
You're Such a Good Looking Woman "You're Such a Good Looking Woman" is a song by Irish singer Joe Dolan. The song was written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and produced by Geoffrey Everitt. It was released in 1970 becoming an international hit for Dolan, peaking at numbe ...
" (1970) for
Joe Dolan
Joseph Francis Robert Dolan (16 October 1939 – 26 December 2007) was an Irish entertainer, recording artist, and pop singer. Chiefly known in Ireland for his association with showbands and for his innovative style and high pitched singing v ...
, "
Gimme Dat Ding
"Gimme Dat Ding" is a 1970 popular UK song, of the novelty type, sung by "one-hit wonder" The Pipkins, and written and composed by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. Released as a single, it is the title selection of an album which The Pipkins rec ...
" for
the Pipkins in 1970 (itself a cover from the
Freddie and the Dreamers
Freddie and the Dreamers were an English beat band that had a number of hit records between 1963 and 1965. The band's stage act was enlivened by the comic antics of Freddie Garrity, who would bounce around the stage with arms and legs flying.
...
album ''Oliver in the Overworld''), "
Good Morning Freedom" for
Blue Mink
Blue Mink were a British six-piece pop group that existed from 1969 to 1977. Over that period they had six Top 20 hit singles in the UK Singles Chart, and released five studio based albums. According to AllMusic: "they have been immortalised on ...
, "Freedom Come, Freedom Go" for
the Fortunes
The Fortunes are an English harmony beat group. Formed in Birmingham, the Fortunes first came to prominence and international acclaim in 1965, when "You've Got Your Troubles" broke into the US, Canadian, and UK Top 10s. Afterwards, they had ...
in 1971 and "
The Air That I Breathe
"The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by British-Gibraltarian singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, initially recorded by Hammond on his debut album, '' It Never Rains in Southern California'' (1972). It was a major hit for ...
" which was a hit for
the Hollies
The Hollies are a British pop rock band, formed in 1962. One of the leading British groups of the 1960s and into the mid-1970s, they are known for their distinctive three-part vocal harmony style. Allan Clarke and Graham Nash founded the band ...
in 1974.
In 1971, Hammond also sang on
Michael Chapman's fourth album ''Wrecked Again'', and worked briefly with
the Magic Lanterns on recordings of his and Hazlewood's songs, and other material.
Written with
Carole Bayer Sager
Carole Bayer Sager (born Carol Bayer on March 8, 1947) is an American lyricist, singer, and songwriter.
Early life and career
Bayer Sager was born in Manhattan, New York City, to Anita Nathan Bayer and Eli Bayer. Her family was Jewish. She grad ...
, "
When I Need You" was first recorded by Hammond on his 1976 album ''When I Need You''. Produced by
Richard Perry,
Leo Sayer
Gerard Hugh "Leo" Sayer (born 21 May 1948) is an English-Australian singer and songwriter whose singing career has spanned five decades. He has been an Australian citizen and resident since 2009.
Sayer launched his career in the United Kingdom ...
's version made No. 1 on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
for two weeks in February 1977
Leo Sayer , full Official Chart History , Official Charts CompanyCommercially successful worldwide, it reached No. 1 in Canada (
''RPM'' Top Singles, also for two weeks), and on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100 for a week in May 1977.
Leapy Lee
Lee Graham (born Graham Pulleyblank, 2 July 1939) better known by his stage name Leapy Lee, is an English singer, best known for his 1968 single " Little Arrows," which reached No. 2 in the UK Singles Chart, and was a Top 20 country and pop hit ...
released a version of "When I Need You" on his first recording since 1970.
Hammond had success as a singer-songwriter with his Spanish recordings. His releases on
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony. The label was founded predominantly as a jazz and classical m ...
allowed him to tour every region of Latin America. During this period, he met Manuel Montoya, a CBS Mexico executive, who became his personal manager in 1985. This led to Hammond's
Grammy Award
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...
-winning production of
Lani Hall
Lani Hall (born November 6, 1945) is an American singer, lyricist, and author. From 1966 to 1971 she performed as lead vocalist for Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66. In 1972 Hall released her first solo album, ''Sun Down Lady''. She may be best know ...
's ''Es Facil Amar'', the producer and writer of "Cantaré, Cantarás" (the
Latin American
Latin Americans ( es, Latinoamericanos; pt, Latino-americanos; ) are the citizens of Latin American countries (or people with cultural, ancestral or national origins in Latin America). Latin American countries and their diasporas are multi-e ...
equivalent of "
We Are the World
"We Are the World" is a charity single originally recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa in 1985. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album '' We Are the World''. Wi ...
"), and collaborations with Roberto Livi on recordings by Raphael and
Eydie Gormé.
Hammond also had two successful singles in the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
during 1981. His songs "
When I'm Gone" and "Your World and My World" (from the album of the same title) were popular in the country.
With
Hal David
Harold Lane David (May 25, 1921 – September 1, 2012) was an American lyricist. He grew up in New York City. He was best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach and his association with Dionne Warwick.
Early life
David ...
, Hammond co-wrote "
To All the Girls I've Loved Before
"To All the Girls I've Loved Before" is a song written by Hal David (words) and Albert Hammond (music). It was originally recorded by Hammond in 1975 on his album ''99 Miles From L.A.'', but is more famous for a 1984 recording by Julio Iglesias ...
", a hit in 1984 for
Julio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva (; born 23 September 1943) is a Spanish singer, songwriter and former professional footballer. Iglesias is recognized as the most commercially successful Spanish singer in the world and one of the top record ...
and
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album ''Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of ''Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and ''Stardust'' (1978 ...
. Hammond collaborated with
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren (born September 7, 1956) is an American songwriter. She has received several awards including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three ''Billboard'' Music Awards and an Honorary Academy Award.
Wa ...
on "
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" is a song co-written by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond and recorded by American rock band Starship for their second studio album, '' No Protection'' (1987). It is a power ballad duet featuring vocalists Grace Slic ...
", a
transatlantic No. 1 in 1987 for
Starship
A starship, starcraft, or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between planetary systems.
The term is mostly found in science fiction. Reference to a "star-ship" appears as early as 1882 in '' Oahspe: A Ne ...
, and "
I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love", a hit for
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
, image_map =
, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordinates =
, coordinates_footnotes =
, subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...
that peaked at No. 3 on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart in 1988. With lyricist
John Bettis
John Gregory Bettis (born October 24, 1946) is an American lyricist. He was originally part of the band Spectrum, which also featured Richard and Karen Carpenter. He wrote the lyrics for " Top of the World", a hit for both Lynn Anderson and Th ...
, Hammond co-wrote "
One Moment in Time", the theme song to the
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad () and commonly known as Seoul 1988 ( ko, 서울 1988, Seoul Cheon gubaek palsip-pal), was an international multi-sport event held from 17 September to 2 October ...
in
Seoul
Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the Capital city, capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the North Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea ...
, South Korea, as performed by
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and actress. Nicknamed "Honorific nicknames in popular music, The Voice", she is Whitney Houston albums discography, one of the bestselling music artists ...
.
In 1991, Hammond co-wrote "
When You Tell Me That You Love Me
"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is a song by American singer Diana Ross, released on August 20, 1991 as the lead single from her nineteenth studio album, '' The Force Behind the Power'' (1991). The song was released on the Motown label in the ...
" recorded by
Diana Ross
Diana Ross (born March 26, 1944) is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame as the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes, who became Motown's most successful act during the 1960s and one of the world's best-selling girl groups ...
, which reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2005, Ross recorded the song again, this time as a duet with
Westlife
Westlife is an Irish pop vocal group formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1998. The group currently consists of members Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne. Brian McFadden was a member, until he left in 2004. The group temporar ...
. Again the song reached No. 2 in the UK.
He wrote several hits for
Tina Turner
Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) is an American-born Swiss retired singer and actress. Widely referred to as the " Queen of Rock 'n' Roll", she rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue before ...
, including "
I Don't Wanna Lose You", "
Be Tender with Me Baby
"Be Tender with Me Baby" is a song by recording artist Tina Turner. Written by Albert Hammond and Holly Knight and produced by Dan Hartman, it was released as a single from Turner's seventh solo studio album, ''Foreign Affair'' (1989), in October ...
", "
Way of the World", and "
Love Thing". Bonnie Tyler
recorded the original version of Hammond/Warren's "
Don't Turn Around", a UK No. 1 for
Aswad
Aswad are a British reggae group, noted for adding strong R&B and soul influences to the reggae sound. They have been performing since the mid-1970s, having released a total of 21 albums. Their UK hit singles include the number one " Don't ...
in 1988 and a hit for
Ace of Base five years later.
In 2005, he released ''Revolution of the Heart'' (where
Todd Sharpville
Todd Sharpville (born 9 April 1970 as The Hon. Roland Augusto Jestyn Estanislao Philipps) is an English musician and the younger son of the 3rd Viscount St Davids.
A British musician, singer-songwriter and lead guitarist, mainly in the blues ...
was his music director), and the single "This Side of Midnight".
In 2008, Hammond met Kasaan Steigen of the Los Angeles-based Trigger Management who became his personal manager, during which time Hammond collaborated with British singer
Duffy Duffy may refer to:
People
*Duffy (surname), people with the surname Duffy or Duffey
* Duffy (nickname)
*Duffy (singer) (born 1984), Welsh singer, born Aimee Ann Duffy
Places
*Duffy, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra
* Duffy, Ohi ...
and others. Duffy's resulting album, ''
Endlessly'', co-written and co-produced by Hammond, was released in November 2010.
In 2010, Hammond also worked on ''Legend'', a new recording of duets of his most successful singles, featuring artists including
Elena Paparizou and
Bonnie Tyler
Gaynor Sullivan (née Hopkins; born 8 June 1951), known professionally as Bonnie Tyler, is a Welsh singer who is known for her distinctive husky voice. Tyler came to prominence with the release of her 1977 album '' The World Starts Tonight'' a ...
. It was released on Sony Spain on 23 November that year.
Personal life
From his first marriage, Hammond has two children. In 1979, he married
Argentinian
Argentines (mistakenly translated Argentineans in the past; in Spanish (masculine) or ( feminine)) are people identified with the country of Argentina. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Argentines, ...
Claudia Fernández, a former model.
They had one son,
Albert Hammond Jr., guitarist of the American rock band
The Strokes
The Strokes are an American rock band from New York City. Formed in 1998, the band is composed of lead singer and songwriter Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture, and drummer Fabrizio Mor ...
and a successful solo musician.
Awards and recognition
In 1987, Hammond's composition with
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren (born September 7, 1956) is an American songwriter. She has received several awards including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three ''Billboard'' Music Awards and an Honorary Academy Award.
Wa ...
"
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" is a song co-written by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond and recorded by American rock band Starship for their second studio album, '' No Protection'' (1987). It is a power ballad duet featuring vocalists Grace Slic ...
" (recorded by
Starship
A starship, starcraft, or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between planetary systems.
The term is mostly found in science fiction. Reference to a "star-ship" appears as early as 1882 in '' Oahspe: A Ne ...
) was nominated for an
Oscar
Oscar, OSCAR, or The Oscar may refer to:
People
* Oscar (given name), an Irish- and English-language name also used in other languages; the article includes the names Oskar, Oskari, Oszkár, Óscar, and other forms.
* Oscar (Irish mythology) ...
,
Golden Globe
The Golden Globe Awards are accolades bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association beginning in January 1944, recognizing excellence in both American and international film and television. Beginning in 2022, there are 105 members of ...
and
Grammy Award
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...
. In 1988, Hammond won an
Emmy Award
The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...
for the song "
One Moment in Time", a song he wrote along with
John Bettis
John Gregory Bettis (born October 24, 1946) is an American lyricist. He was originally part of the band Spectrum, which also featured Richard and Karen Carpenter. He wrote the lyrics for " Top of the World", a hit for both Lynn Anderson and Th ...
.
In 2000, he received the
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations,
and public service outside the civil service. It was established ...
(OBE).
On 19 June 2008, Hammond was inducted in the
Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) is an American institution founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer, music publisher/songwriter Abe Olman, and publisher/executive Howie Richmond to honor those whose work, represent, and maintain, the her ...
.
Half Man Half Biscuit
Half Man Half Biscuit are an English rock band, formed in 1984 in Birkenhead, Merseyside. Known for their satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs, the band comprises lead singer and guitarist Nigel Blackwell, bassist and singer Neil ...
paid tribute to Hammond in their 1986 track "Albert Hammond Bootleg" originally on
The Trumpton Riots EP
''The Trumpton Riots E.P.'' is a 1986 12" 45½rpm vinyl EP by the English indie band Half Man Half Biscuit. The original release (TRUMP1) comprised the first four tracks listed below. A re-release later that year (TRUMX1) included the fifth ...
and later added to the 2003 re-release of
Back in the DHSS
''Back in the DHSS'' is the first album released by the UK rock band Half Man Half Biscuit (HMHB), in 1985.
The album's title puns on that of the 1968 song "Back in the U.S.S.R." by The Beatles: referring to the high unemployment levels at the ...
.
In May 2015, Hammond collected the
Ivor Novello
Ivor Novello (born David Ivor Davies; 15 January 1893 – 6 March 1951) was a Welsh actor, dramatist, singer and composer who became one of the most popular British entertainers of the first half of the 20th century.
He was born into a musical ...
award for outstanding song collection.
Discography
Songwriting credits
(in alphabetical order of song title)
Other languages
(in alphabetical order of song title)
Other songwriting credits
(in alphabetical order of song title)
*"
Careless Heart" – written with
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as ...
and Diane Warren
*"
Creep
Creep, Creeps or CREEP may refer to:
People
* Creep, a creepy person
Politics
* Committee for the Re-Election of the President (CRP), mockingly abbreviated as CREEP, an fundraising organization for Richard Nixon's 1972 re-election campaign
Art ...
" (by
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); brothers Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments) and Colin Greenwood (bass ...
) – subsequently given co-writing credits (with
Mike Hazlewood), due to the song's musical similarity to "The Air That I Breathe"
*He co-wrote almost all songs on Welsh singer
Duffy Duffy may refer to:
People
*Duffy (surname), people with the surname Duffy or Duffey
* Duffy (nickname)
*Duffy (singer) (born 1984), Welsh singer, born Aimee Ann Duffy
Places
*Duffy, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb of Canberra
* Duffy, Ohi ...
's album ''
Endlessly'', including Duffy songs "My Boy", "
Lovestruck" and "
Well, Well, Well"
*"Have Mercy" – written with
Shelly Peiken
Shelly Meg Peiken is an American songwriter who is best known for co-writing the US No. 1 hits " What a Girl Wants" and " Come On Over Baby" by Christina Aguilera the US No. 2 hit "Bitch" by Meredith Brooks, " Almost Doesn't Count" by Brandy, a ...
for
Yazz
Yazz (born Yasmin Evans; 19 May 1960) is an English pop singer, who remains perhaps best known for her 1988 UK number one single "The Only Way Is Up". Some of her records are credited to Yazz and the Plastic Population.
Career
Yazz was born i ...
; was also recorded by
Viktor Lazlo
The name Victor or Viktor may refer to:
* Victor (name), including a list of people with the given name, mononym, or surname
Arts and entertainment
Film
* ''Victor'' (1951 film), a French drama film
* ''Victor'' (1993 film), a French sho ...
on her album ''
Back To Front''
*
"I Give It All To You" / "I Imagine" – written with
Steve Duberry
Steve DuBerry is a British Grammy Award nominated songwriter and record producer, co-writer of Tina Turner's "I Don't Wanna Fight" (along with Lulu and her brother Billy Lawrie). DuBerry has also written and produced songs for Tylah Yaweh, Blue ...
and Lord 'n Elliot and sung by
Mary Kiani
Mary Kiani (born Mary McKloskey on 27 March 1964), usually spelled Märy Kiani on her records, is a Scottish singer who first had hit songs as vocalist for dance music act the Time Frequency (TTF) in the early 1990s and later a solo career. Be ...
in 1995
*"
Loving You (Is a Way of Life)
"'Loving You (Is a Way of Life)" is a song recorded by New Zealand singer-songwriter, Jon Stevens
Jon Stevens (born 8 October 1961) is a New Zealand singer, best known for his work with Noiseworks and ''Jesus Christ Superstar''.
Biography 19 ...
" – co-written with
Tom Snow
Thomas Righter Snow (born 1947 in Princeton, New Jersey) is an American songwriter.
Biography
Snow has written songs for Gayle McCormick "(Even a Fool Would Let Go" with Kerry Chater – a song covered by a number of artists including Kenny ...
and
Franne Golde
Francine Vicki Golde, better known as Franne Golde or Frannie Golde, is an American songwriter, musician, singer and writer. Her songs have appeared on more than 100 million records sold worldwide. Golde has received BMI awards for singles with ...
and recorded by Australian singer
Jon Stevens
Jon Stevens (born 8 October 1961) is a New Zealand singer, best known for his work with Noiseworks and ''Jesus Christ Superstar''.
Biography 1980–1986: career beginnings and ''Jezebel''
Stevens was born in Upper Hutt, New Zealand, and is ...
*"
Moonlight Lady" – written by Hammond and Carole Bayer Sager and originally sung by Hammond with a large adaptation from "
It Never Rains in Southern California
"It Never Rains in Southern California" is a 1972 song jointly written and composed by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood and sung by Hammond, a British-born singer-songwriter.
Lyrics content
The lyrics of "It Never Rains In Southern Californi ...
". It was later recorded by
Julio Iglesias
Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva (; born 23 September 1943) is a Spanish singer, songwriter and former professional footballer. Iglesias is recognized as the most commercially successful Spanish singer in the world and one of the top record ...
in his 1984 album ''
1100 Bel Air Place
''1100 Bel Air Place'' is an album of love songs performed by Spanish singer Julio Iglesias, released on 10 August 1984 by CBS Records internationally and by Columbia Records in the United States. It was the first of Iglesias' albums to be per ...
''
*"
Oklahoma Sunday Morning
"Oklahoma Sunday Morning" is a song written by Tony Macaulay, Albert Hammond and Lee Hazlewood. It was recorded by American country music artist Glen Campbell and released in December 1971 as a single. The song peaked at number 15 on the U.S. ''Bil ...
" – co-written with
Tony Macaulay
Tony Macaulay (born Anthony Gordon Instone; 21 April 1944) is an English author, composer for musical theatre, and songwriter. He has won the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors Award twice as 'Songwriter of the Year' (1970 a ...
and
Mike Hazlewood, a hit for
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell (April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017) was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, actor and television host. He was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting '' The Glen Campbell Good ...
*"Once in a Lifetime" – written with
Antonina Armato
Antonina Armato is an American songwriter, record producer, music producer and businesswoman. She is the co-founder and member of Rock Mafia, a record production/songwriting team. Antonina is credited for writing and producing for artists begi ...
and Dennis Morgan
*"
Smokey Factory Blues" – written by Hammond and Hazlewood, and recorded by
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his c ...
on his ''
John R. Cash'' album; was also recorded by
Steppenwolf on the ''
Slow Flux'' album
*"Through the Storm" – a duet with
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin ( ; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the " Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in '' Rolling Stone''s "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Wit ...
and
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, pianist and composer. Commonly nicknamed the "Rocket Man" after his 1972 hit single of the same name, John has led a commercially successful career a ...
*"Mary was an Only Child" - co-written with
Mike Hazlewood sung by
Art Garfunkel
Arthur Ira Garfunkel (born November 5, 1941) is an American singer, poet, and actor. He is best known for his partnership with Paul Simon in the folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel.
Highlights of Garfunkel's solo music career include one top-10 h ...
on his 1973 debut album ''
Angel Clare
''Angel Clare'', the debut solo studio album by Art Garfunkel, released on September 11, 1973, is his highest-charting solo album, peaking at No. 5. It includes his only Top 10 hit in the US as a solo artist, " All I Know", which peaked at No. ...
''
See also
*
Music of Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory with many musical influences. Rock based music is undergoing a renaissance with a multitude of local bands playing original material and covers. Local venues have begun accepting Gibraltarian bands and ...
References
External links
Official website*
A profile on Albert Hammondwith John Matthew Hall of ''
The Independent
''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publish ...
'', 2009
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hammond, Albert
1944 births
Living people
English male singer-songwriters
Spanish-language singers
English emigrants to the United States
Singers from London
Gibraltarian songwriters
English record producers
Gibraltarian emigrants to the United States
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
British soft rock musicians
CBS Records artists