Kenny Young
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenny Young is an American songwriter who operated between 1962 up to the end of the 1970s .His most famous song was Under the Boardwalk recorded by The Drifters in 1964 and which was followed through the 1960s by songs for Ronnie Dove, Hermans Hermits, Reperata & the Delrons and Clodagh Rodgers.
In the 1974 Young founded Fox, a studio band featuring Susan Traynor as lead singer and who adopted the stage name Noosha Fox. The band broke up in 1977.
Young's other bands were Yellow Dog and Gentlemen Without Weapons.
Grew up in the lower east side of Manhattan, attended Seward Park High School, City University of NY (CUNY), majored in sociology and psychology. Singer songwriter in the 60’s. Wrote songs in the Brill Building for The Drifters, Hermans Hermits, The Searchers, Ben E. King, The Shirelles, Kenny Rogers and many others. Wrote and produced over 25 chart records in his career. His songs included many top ten hits, ‘Under the Boardwalk’, ‘Arizona’ and the Grammy Award winning song, ‘Ai No Corrida’ among them. Moved to England in 1970. His songs recorded by artists including The Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, L.L. Cool J, The Beach Boys, The Jungle Bros., Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, Joni Mitchel, Debbie Harry, Sam and Dave, Lennie Kravitz, Iggy Pop, Ricky Lee Jones, Gilberto Gil, Kate Bush among others.
Formed top 10 UK bands Fox and Yellow Dog played with, wrote and produced their 5 top ten hits.
He has been concerned about environmental issues and in the 1980’s started rainforest conservation organization, Earth Love Fund with colleagues Vic Coppersmith-Heaven and Nick Glennie-Smith.
Was recipient of the United Nations Global 500 Award for outstanding practical achievements in the protection and improvement of the environment for his work as co-founder and trustee of the Earth Love Fund, which supported and initiated over 200 community based projects in Brazil, Africa, Asia and Australia.
Co-Produced the Hollywood Genesis Award Winning Film ‘Spirit of the Forest’ which was a BBC-TV documentary about the destruction of the Amazon.
Co- Produced the Album ‘Earthrise’ which was no.1 in the UK and released worldwide featuring: U-2, Paul McCartney, Sting, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Paul Simon, REM, Peter Gabriel, Queen, Seal and many others for ELF’s conservation projects for the world’s Rainforests.
Wrote and co-produced the song ‘Spirit of the Forest’ which was a benefit record released by Richard Branson’s Virgin Records and featured over 50 major international artists including, Joni Mitchel, Ringo Starr, Lennie Kravitz, L.L. Cool J, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, The Ramones, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, Rita Lee, Marisa Monte, Belinda Carlisle, the Jungle Bros., Afrika Bambaata and many others.
Wrote and co-produced and performed on album Transmissions by Gentlemen Without Weapons on A&M Records. The band used only samples of nature for the music. A unique album, with a video produced by Pink Floyd’s art director Storm Thorgeson, who also designed the incredible album cover.
Co- Produced ELF’s album ‘Earthrise ll’ which featured top international names including, Elton John, U-2, The Cranberries, Shane Macgowan, REM, Tears for Fears, Genesis, Eurythmics, Stereo MC’s, Meatloaf and more.
Produced the Album ‘Planet Electrica’ in aid and relief of Hurricane Mitchel, the album featured the top names in dance music, including, Chemical Bros. Massive Attack, Fat Boy Slim, Underworld, Roni Size and Reprasent, LTJ Bukem, Les Rhythm Digitales, and many others.
Most recently produced the album Rhythms del Mundo with musicians from Buena Vista Social Club and included Coldplay, Sting, U-2, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, Dido, Ibrahim Ferrer, Radiohead, Omara Portuondo and other top International artists for relief of natural disasters and t climate change and global warming awareness which is the most important environmental issue of our times.
