Rick Shorter

Rick Shorter (May 1, 1934 – September 1, 2017) was an American songwriter, music producer, and author. During the 1960s when he was most active, he produced and arranged for a multitude of artists. They include Ciska Peters, Big Dee Irwin, and Galt MacDermot. His compositions have been covered by Ola & the Janglers, The Five Tornados, Johnny And The Hurricanes, The Liverbirds, The Esquires, Gene Pitney and Burl Ives. He also composed, arranged, and produced “If I Call You By Some Name” which was a hit for The Paupers. In the 1970s, Shorter returned to his faith and, along with his wife Gwen became very active in the Seventh-day Adventist church from which he had drifted away over prior years. Background The son of a clergyman who used to be a jazz guitarist, Shorter came from a Seventh-day Adventist background. By the time he was ten years old, he was singing professionally at gospel camps. He also had his own local radio show while still at junior high. His cousin is jazz saxophonist, Wayne Shorter, founding member of the group Weather Report. Family Shorter met his wife Gwen née Simmons in a New York night club on 42nd Street. She was an R&B, soul singer, actress and model. He be