Keith Forsey (born 2 January 1948) is an English pop musician and record producer.

Early life

Forsey began his career as a percussionist in the mid-late 1960s as the drummer for The SpectrumCaptain Scarlet and the Mysterons - The Vault - Chris Bentley - Signum Books - 2017 and as the drummer in Udo Lindenberg's Panik Orchester until 1976, during which he also played percussion for Amon Düül II. By late 1970s, he was a pioneer of disco, working with artists such as Lipstique, Claudja Barry, La Bionda, the Italo Disco Inventors and Boney M. He became

Giorgio Moroder Giovanni Giorgio Moroder (, ; born 26 April 1940) is an Italian composer, songwriter, and record producer. Dubbed the " Father of Disco", Moroder is credited with pioneering euro disco and electronic dance music. His work with synthesizers had ...

's drummer and played on records by

Donna Summer LaDonna Adrian Gaines (December 31, 1948May 17, 2012), known professionally as Donna Summer, was an American singer and songwriter. She gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s and became known as the "Honorific nicknames in popular m ...

, including '' Bad Girls'', and

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' " No. 1 in Heaven." However Forsey's own band, Trax, a collaboration with Pete Bellotte, was not as popular. Forsey was influenced by Moroder and began experimenting with electronics and European dance rhythms.

Production career

Like Moroder, Forsey started producing albums himself, and in 1982 produced Billy Idol's solo debut album, '' Billy Idol'' and

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's global breakthrough album '' Primitive Man''. Idol's 1983 follow-up, '' Rebel Yell'', went even further, combining Forsey's affection for synthesized pop, Idol's punk grit, and guitarist Steve Stevens' heavy metal sound. 1983 was the year that established Forsey as a producer. He co-wrote " Flashdance... What a Feeling" with Moroder and

Irene Cara Irene Cara Escalera (March 18, 1959 – November 25, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter and actress of Black, Puerto Rican and Cuban descent. Cara rose to prominence for her role as Coco Hernandez in the 1980 musical film '' Fame'', and f ...

, who sang the track, for the movie ''

Flashdance ''Flashdance'' is a 1983 American romantic drama dance film directed by Adrian Lyne and starring Jennifer Beals as a passionate young dancer who aspires to become a professional ballerina (Alex), alongside Michael Nouri playing her boyfriend ...

''. In 1984, the song earned an

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment in ...

. The popularity of ''Flashdance'' led to his co-writing songs featured on the soundtracks of ''

Ghostbusters ''Ghostbusters'' is a 1984 American supernatural comedy film directed and produced by Ivan Reitman, and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis as Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, ...

'', '' Beverly Hills Cop'', '' The NeverEnding Story'' and '' The Breakfast Club''. The 1985 hit " Don't You (Forget About Me)" from ''The Breakfast Club'' was originally offered to

Simple Minds Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. They have released a string of hit singles, becoming best known internationally for " Don't You (Forget About Me)" (1985), which topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in the United S ...

, who declined. But after

Bryan Ferry Bryan Ferry CBE (born 26 September 1945) is an English singer and songwriter. His voice has been described as an "elegant, seductive croon". He also established a distinctive image and sartorial style: according to ''The Independent'', Ferry and ...

, Billy Idol and several other artists passed on the song, Simple Minds reconsidered; their recording went on to top the charts in several countries. In 2003, Forsey produced the American guitar pop band Rooney. 2005 saw his return to Billy Idol, producing '' Devil's Playground''.

References

External links

* *
Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forsey, Keith 1948 births Living people Best Original Song Academy Award-winning songwriters Musicians from London Golden Globe Award-winning musicians Grammy Award winners English record producers English songwriters English session musicians British male drummers English rock drummers English expatriates in Germany British male songwriters