A master of soulful and dance-friendly pop songcraft, if largely unknown to the general public, Frederick Perren wrote, co-wrote, produced or co-produced (often both co-writing and co-producing) many of the 1970’s biggest hits (and a few others since then), both as one of the four members of “The Corporation” and as an independent songwriter and producer:
“I Want You Back,” “The Love You Save,” and “ABC” for the Jackson 5
“Love Machine” for The Miracles
“Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel” and “More Than a Woman” for Tavares
“I Will Survive” for Gloria Gaynor [Perren won a Grammy for this one]
“Boogie Fever” for The Sylvers
“If I Can’t Have You” for Yvonne Elliman
“Reunited” and “Shake Your Groove Thing” for Peaches & Herb
“Give Love on Christmas Day” – many cover artists
“It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” for G.C. Cameron (formerly of The Spinners)
Perren produced and/or wrote music for soundtracks: two songs on “Saturday Night Fever” (1979); and the soundtracks for “Hell Up In Harlem” (1973) and “Cooley High” (1975).
Perren died at his home on Thursday at the age of 61; he had suffered a massive stroke 11 years ago.
Truly one of the greats…