Richard Paul Addrisi

CLASSIC HIT SONGWRITER, RICHARD ADDRISI PASSES AWAY

In the early morning of Tuesday, October 14th, legendary singer songwriter, Richard Paul Addrisi passed away at age 84 at his home in Miami, surrounded by his closest loved ones.

Richard Paul Addrisi and his late brother, Donald James Addrisi, (“Addrisi Brothers”) co-wrote the classic hit, “Never My Love.” Over the years, Richard has been honored with numerous awards as “Never My Love” is reported by BMI to be the 2nd most played song of all time in US radio and television history, second only to “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling.”

As boys, the Winthrop, MA natives traveled with their parents to Los Angeles to audition for the “Mickey Mouse Club,” and ended up appearing on the “Spin and Marty” series instead. Richard also enrolled in the famed Hollywood Professional School, where many child entertainment professionals, like Annette Funicello attended school.

The Addrisi Brothers were just teenagers when their first Del-Fi single, “Cherrystone” peaked at #62 on the Billboard charts in June of 1959.

While songwriting for other acts on the Valiant record label, the Addrisi Brothers were also given the responsibility for discovering new talent and signed the Association, a pop group that would score two #1 hits with “Cherish” and “Windy.” The Addrisi Brothers wrote “Never My Love,” which would become a #2 hit for the Association. They also wrote “Time For Living” which charted at #27 for the Association.

“Never My Love” would go on to hit the Top 15 with other versions by the Fifth Dimension and by Blue Swede. Soon after, country stars, Vern Gosdin and Janie Fricke released a duet version which charted at #9 on the Billboard Hot Country Chart. The Addrisi Brothers also released their own version which charted at #20 on the Adult Contemporary Chart.

Over the years, “Never My Love” has been recorded by well over 300 notable artists including, Norah Jones and Jacob Dylan, Bryan Adams, Belinda Carlisle, Rita Wilson, Nina Simone, Etta James, Barry Manilow, Donny Hathaway, Kathy Troccoli, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, Vicki Carr, Petula Clark, Engelbert Humperdinck, Chill Factor, Henry Mancini, The Temptations, The Letterman, The Four Tops, The Sandpipers, The Impressions, The Flirtations, Audra Mae & The Forest Rangers, featuring Billy Valentine, and many more throughout the decades.

As the 70s began, the Addrisi Brothers wrote and performed the theme song to TV’s “Nanny and the Professor.” Then in 1972, the Addrisi Brothers scored their first Top 40 hit as recording artists and songwriters with the hit, “We’ve Got To Get It On Again,” which climbed to #25 on the pop charts. They had another hit with “Slow Dancin’ Don’t Turn Me On” in 1977, which would chart at #20. The Addrisi Brothers wrote “I Believe You” which was a hit for Dorothy Moore and charted at #5 on the Billboard R& B Soul Chart; then Karen Carpenter also recorded “I Believe You” which charted at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Many other artists would record Addrisi Brothers songs throughout the years. The Addrisi Brothers continued to write and record together until Don’s untimely death from cancer in 1984.

Richard spent many years traveling between his homes in Los Angeles and Buenos Aires and most recently, his place on the water in Miami.

Known to many for his music, to his family and closest friends, Richard was a funny, warm soul who could light up any room. He lived a life full of creativity and adventure. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents, James and Verna Addrisi and his brother, Donald Addrisi. He is survived by his life partner, music executive Kay Douglass; Agustina Bianculli, who was like a daughter to him, her son, Sebastian; Donald Addrisi’s daughters, Emmy Award winner and niece Amity Addrisi, her daughter, Lucia and son, Leo; niece Alexis Addrisi; producer and best friend, Dick Foster; music publisher and best friend, Terri Fricon and her daughter, Donelle, named after Donald Addrisi; cousins, Eileen Sweeney Russo, Trish Russo and Jessica Russo Revand.

His family and close friends are comforted at the thought that the Addrisi Brothers are reunited. He was dearly loved and will be missed by many.

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