Jerry Riopelle


Jerry Riopelle was an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer born in Detroit, and raised in Tampa, Florida, and known primarily for his hard rock performances and for his record production. He mixed rock, country and jazz with R&B and was an inductee into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Early career

Riopelle began his music career in the 1960s in Los Angeles working as an independent record producer. He played drums for The Hollywood Argyles and later signed with Screen Gems as a staff songwriter. At Screen Gems, he wrote and produced, along with Clydie King, a single called "The Thrill is Gone". This exposure helped Riopelle land staff writer and producer job with Phil Spector and Lester Sills label Philles Records.
Riopelle had his first charting record as producer of "Home of the Brave," which was recorded by Bonnie & The Treasures reached #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1965. He later produced top 40 singles for The Parade and April Stevens & Nino Tempo. This led to an opportunity to work as an A&M Records producer and a role as a staff writer at Irving Music.

Later career and death

Riopelle produced and wrote for The Parade, Brewer & Shipley, We Five, and Shango. His songs have been covered by Leon Russell, Herb Alpert, Kenny Loggins, Rita Coolidge, Meat Loaf, and others. Jerry also wrote various pieces for Hollywood TV shows and films.
Riopelle had a large and avid fan base in Arizona during the 1970s, highlighted by his annual New Year's Eve performances at Phoenix venue Celebrity Theatre, featuring a revolving stage. Well known national acts opened for Riopelle on these occasions, including The Dixie Dregs and others.
In 2001, Riopelle invented and patented the Beamz device for creating music using lasers.
He died of complications from cancer on December 24, 2018, at the age of 77.

Family

Riopelle and his wife Naomi had two children, daughter Angela and son Paul. Jerry and Naomi
divided their time between homes in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
Jerry and Paul were co-founders of the Beamz music system and served as company executives for beamz Interactive.

Discography

YearAlbum
1971Jerry Riopelle
1972Second Album
  • Released:
  • Label: Capitol
  • Format: LP
    • 1974Saving Grace
  • Released:
  • Label: ABC
  • Format: LP
    • 1975Take a Chance
  • Released:
  • Label: ABC
  • Format: LP
    • 1994Hush Money
  • Released:
  • Label: Rhino Records
  • Format: CS, CD
    • 1999Tongue N Groove
  • Released:
  • Label: The Orchard
  • Format: CD

    • Albums (vinyl)

  • Jerry Riopelle - Capitol ST-732 - 1971
  • Jerry Riopelle - Capitol SM-732 - 1977
  • The Second Album - Capitol ST-863 - 1972
  • The Second Album - Capitol SM-863 - 1977
  • Saving Grace - ABC ABCX-827 - 1974
  • Saving Grace - ABC 27 205 ET - 1974
  • Take A Chance - ABC ABCD-886 - 1975
  • Take A Chance - - 1975
  • Little Bit At A Time - Little Eskimo 7 - 1977
  • In The Round - Little Eskimo 8 - 1978
  • In The Round - - 1979
  • Dangerous Stranger - Little Eskimo 9 - 1979
  • Dangerous Stranger - - 1979
  • Juicy Talk - Little Eskimo 10 - 1982
  • Livin’ The Life - See For Miles SEE 70 - 1986

    Cassettes

  • Little Bit At A Time - Little Eskimo LE 7 - 1977
  • In The Round - Little Eskimo LE-C-8 - 1978
  • In The Round *-Little Eskimo LE-CX-8 - 1990
  • Dangerous Stranger - Little Eskimo LE 9 - 1979
  • Juicy Talk - Little Eskimo LE 10 - 1982
  • Hands On - Little Eskimo LE 11 - 1988
  • In The Blood* - Indio LE-CDX 1122 - 1998
  • * Note these cassettes made especially for Celebrity Theater New Year shows.

    CDs

  • Hands On - Little Eskimo LECD 11 - 1986
  • In The Blood - Indio ICD-9303 - 1993
  • Hush Money - Mesa R2 79078 - 1994
  • Tongue 'n' Groove - Evening Star/Little Eskimo LE 2000 - 2000
  • Tongue 'n' Groove - Evening Star/Little Eskimo LE 2000X - 2000
  • The Works 1970-2000 - Little Eskimo LE 2005 - 2005
  • In the Round-Deluxe - Little Eskimo LE 2009 - 2009