Ed Cobb


Edward C. Cobb, credited as Ed Cobb, was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, most notably during the 1950s and 1960s.

Career

The Four Preps

Cobb was a member of the pop group the Four Preps from its discovery in 1956 until he left the group in 1966, three years before it disbanded.

Songwriting

His greatest claim to fame was that he wrote the northern soul hit "Tainted Love" for Gloria Jones, which Soft Cell reworked into one of the biggest pop hits of the 1980s.

Record Production

After his performing career ended, Cobb became fully focused on work as a record producer and sound engineer, which he had already begun doing by the Four Preps' breakup. He became involved with acts such as the Standells, the Lettermen, the Chocolate Watch Band, the Piltdown Men, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, and Pink Floyd. Cobb also wrote songs for many of his acts, most famously 1966's "Dirty Water" for the Standells, 1964's "Every Little Bit Hurts" for Brenda Holloway, and 1965's "Tainted Love".
Throughout his producing and engineering career, Cobb earned thirty-two gold and platinum records, and three Grammy Award nominations.

Personal life

In his private life, Cobb was a champion horse breeder and, for a short while, served as president of the Idaho Racing Commission.
Cobb died of leukemia on September 19, 1999, in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the age of 61.

Songs

Cobb wrote, or co-wrote the following songs, most notably recorded by the artists noted: