Michael Masser, one of the biggest songwriters and producers of the 70s and 80s, has died at age 74.
Masser was best known for writing or co-writing a monster set of hits in the 70s and 80s. Most were ballads with soft rock underpinnings, but many were interpreted by the biggest soul singers of the day. "Touch Me In the Morning," "Theme From Mahogany" and "It's My Turn" by Diana Ross, "The Greatest Love of All" by George Benson (and later a smash for Whitney Houston), "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack, "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You" by George Benson (later a hit for Glenn Medeiros), "Hold Me" for Teddy Pendergrass and Whitney Houston, and "Miss You Like Crazy" by Natalie Cole, were all Masser compositions, and he produced many of them for the stars.
Michael Masser, one of the biggest songwriters and producers of the 70s and 80s, has died at age 74.
Masser was best known for writing or co-writing a monster set of hits in the 70s and 80s. Most were ballads with soft rock underpinnings, but many were interpreted by the biggest soul singers of the day. "Touch Me In the Morning," "Theme From Mahogany" and "It's My Turn" by Diana Ross, "The Greatest Love of All" by George Benson (and later a smash for Whitney Houston), "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" by Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack, "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love For You" by George Benson (later a hit for Glenn Medeiros), "Hold Me" for Teddy Pendergrass and Whitney Houston, and "Miss You Like Crazy" by Natalie Cole, were all Masser compositions, and he produced many of them for the stars.
Masser was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007. While some of his compositions bordered on MOR treacle, he certainly put together some classics. Michael Masser was a very talented writer and musician who made major compositions to popular radio for over two decades. He will be missed.
By Chris Rizik