Herb Alpert Biography, Photos and Posters

Herb Alpert

Biography

Born: March 31, 1935
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Instrument: Trumpet
Music Training: started playing at 8;
Awards: 1965 Grammy Best Instrumental Performance, Non-Jazz, "A Taste Of Honey;" 1965 Record Of The Year, "A Taste Of Honey; 1966 Best Instrumental Arrangement, "What Now My Love; 1966 Best Instrumental Performance (Other Than Jazz), "What Now My Love;" 1979 Best Pop Instrumental Performance, "Rise"
Top Recordings: "This Guy's in Love With You," "A Taste of Honey," "Spanish Flea"
Herb Alpert biography: After serving in the army he set out to forge a career as an actor, but soon returned to music recording under the name Dore Alpert for RCA records. Along with Lou Adler he co-wrote some of Sam Cooke's greatest hits like "Wonderful World" and "Only Sixteen." Together they recorded a cover of the Hollywood Argyle's noivelty hit "Alley Oop" under the name Dante and the Evergreens. He later produced tracks for the surf duo Jan and Dean. He teamed with co-founder of A&M Records Jerry Moss to score a top 10 hit with "The Lonely Bull."

Starting in Alpert's garage A&M Records rose to become one of the world's biggest independent labels. Their list of artists include Carpenters, Cat Stevens, Joe Cocker, and Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66. However, it was Alpert himself along with his backup group the Tijuana Brass that proved the labels maistay with hits like "A Taste of Honey," and his album his 1965 LP Whipped Cream and Other Delights which topped the charts in 1965. His follow up album Going Places also hit the top of the album charts and included the hit single "Spanish Flea." What Now My Love topped the charts for 9 weeks the following year. He continued to hit the charts with releases like S.R.O. and the following year's Sounds Like and Herb Alpert's Ninth and in 1968 he struck gold with a rare vocal. His version of Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's in Love With You" hit the top of the charts. Beat of the Brass became Herbs fifth and final number 1 LP. By the end of the 60s his commerical success had all but dried up.

1969's Warm was the first of his 11 albums not to crack the top 20. During the 70s he changed his focus from his music to his music business. In spite of his lack of success he continued to record and in 1979 he experienced a bit of a comeback when his album Rise cracked the top 10 and the title track topped the singles charts becoming the biggest hit of his career. After a few less successful offerings he once again scored with Keep Your Eye On Me; the lead single "Diamonds" featuring a guest vocal from Janet Jackson hit the to 5. He continued recording through the 90s.

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