Richard Perry, renowned for producing some of the most iconic tracks in pop music history, passed away on December 24 from cardiac arrest in a Los Angeles hospital. He was 82 years old. The news was confirmed by his close friend, Daphna Kastner, to the Associated Press, who described him as a “father friend” and highlighted his generous and sweet nature.
Kastner shared her sentiments on Perry’s impact, saying, “He maximized his time here. He was generous, fun, sweet and made the world a better place. The world is a little less sweeter without him here. But it’s a little bit sweeter in heaven.”
According to TMZ, Perry had been dealing with Parkinson’s disease. His assistant of 30 years, Ben McCarthy, noted that Perry was in good spirits during their last meeting, though he was unable to speak.
Perry’s career spanned decades, beginning in the 1970s when he worked with major artists like Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, and Art Garfunkel. He is particularly remembered for producing Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” Rod Stewart’s “The Great American Songbook” series, and hits like Harry Nilsson’s “Without You,” Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias’ “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before,” and The Pointer Sisters’ “I’m So Excited.” Additionally, Perry played a pivotal role in Ringo Starr’s first solo album post-Beatles, “Sentimental Journey,” and was involved in John Lennon’s “I Am the Greatest,” which uniquely brought together three Beatles after the band’s breakup.
In his memoir, “Cloud Nine,” Perry reflected on the magic of these sessions, noting, “As I looked around the room, I realized that I was at the very epicenter of the spiritual and musical quest I had dreamed of for so many years.”
His contributions to music were recognized with a Grammy Trustee Award in 2015 for his significant influence on the industry.
On a personal note, Perry was in a long-term relationship with actress Jane Fonda, which ended amicably in 2017 after eight years. He spoke positively about their separation, noting, “We continue to maintain a close friendship and care deeply about each other.”