The Joy of 45 Collecting: Collecting Key Arrangers

One of the most successful strategies I've had in collecting 45s is to look for certain producers and arrangers whose work I'm familiar with. The list on this page is very short comparatively, and concentrates on arrangers from the 1960s and 1970s. These are individuals who had a large enough impact on the Rock 'n' Soul marketplace to influence trends and whose consistent work makes picking up unknown 45s with their names on them a good bet. If you like the work of one arranger on this list, chances are you'll like other 45s they worked on as well. This is a companion list to ones I'm preparing for collecting producers and songwriters; some of these arrangers may also have production credits to their name. Not included are arrangers whose work is not so distinctive that their presence on a 45 record's label may not be a good guide to whether you'll like other records they worked on.

Long-time 45 collectors understand that the universe of music released on 45 records is so vast it seems to just keep expanding as your collection grows. Counter-intuitive maybe, but true. In such a world, keying on who produced, arranged, or wrote a given song or artist you've never heard of before can lead to some excellent finds.

The list below is just a suggestion, and I plan to expand it as time permits. The artists are listed in alphabetical order. If you know of an arranger who should be here and isn't, please send a note through the Classic 45s Comments form. Last updated 05/19/16 with 14 arrangers.

Artie Butler

Artie Butler worked as an arranger in the 1960s and 1970s, specializing in Soul music but handling other genres as well. Artists he worked with included Jeff Barry, Boyce & Hart, Neil Diamond, the Drifters, Exciters, Jaynetts, Gladys Knight & Pips, Gloria Jones, Patti LaBelle, Barbara Lewis, Howard Tate, Mark Lindsay, and the Shangri-Las. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

Heartaches Away My Boy (Not charted, 1966) by Christine Cooper
Alice Long (#27p, 1968) by Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Cherry, Cherry (#6p, 1965) by Neil Diamond
You Can't Love Them All (#127p, 1966) by The Drifters
Sally, Go 'Round The Roses (#4r, #2p, 1963) by The Jaynetts
Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) (#1r, #2p, 1973) by Gladys Knight & Pips
Baby Be Mine (#51p, 1964) by The Jelly Beans
Look What You Started (Not charted, 1968) by Gloria Jones
The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia (#1p, 1973) by Vicki Lawrence
Ain't Nobody Home (#12r, #63p, 1966) by Howard Tate
One Tin Soldier (#34p, 1969) by Original Caste
I Can Never Go Home Any More (#6p, 1965) by The Shangri-Las
The Hideaway (Not charted, 1966) by The Young Generation

Charlie Calello

Charlie Calello was primarily an arranger, and he had his hands in so many 1960s-70s hits it's impossible to count them all. He specialized in Soul arrangements, but did other genres of music as well. Artists he worked with included Freddy Cannon, Lou Christie, Shirley Ellis, Four Seasons, the Toys, and Frankie Valli. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

Breakin' Down The Walls of Heartache (Not charted, 1968) by The Bandwagon
Abigail Beecher (#16p, 1964) by Freddy Cannon
Lightnin' Strikes (#1p, 1965) by Lou Christie
Rhapsody in the Rain (#16p, 1966) by Lou Christie
The Name Game (#3p, 1964) by Shirley Ellis
Native New Yorker (#6r, #21p, 1977) by Odyssey
Navy Blue (#6p, 1964) by Diane Renay
You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies (Not charted, 1967) by Dana Valery
The Right Direction (Not charted, 1966) by Clara Ward
A Lover's Concerto (#2p, 1965) by The Toys
(You're Gonna) Hurt Yourself (#39p, 1966) by Frankie Valli

Norman Harris

Norman Harris was very influential in 1970s Soul music, from Philly Soul to Disco, and he even had a hit or two himself. He worked with a range of artists including First Choice, Blue Magic, the Delfonics, Gloria Gaynor, the O'Jays, Three Degrees, Eddie Kendricks, Barbara Mason, the Trammps, and the Whispers. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger (may include some songwriting and production credits as well):

Smarty Pants (#11r, #28p, 1973) by First Choice
Sideshow (#1r, #8p, 1974) by Blue Magic
Armed and Extremely Dangerous (#11r, #28p, 1973) by First Choice
Honey Bee (#55r, #103p, 1974) by Gloria Gaynor
The Player (#7r, #70p, 1976) by First Choice
He's A Friend (#2r, #36p, 1976) by Eddie Kendricks
Free Man (#9r, #61p, 1975) by South Shore Commission
Hooked for Life (#70r, 1975) by The Trammps
Catch Me On The Rebound (#92r, 1978) by Loleatta Holloway

Jimmie Haskell

Jimmie Haskell was active in the 1960s and 1970s, arranging productions for a wide variety of artists including Clarence Carter, Tommy Boyce, Boyce & Hart, Judy Collins, Bobby Darin, Grass Roots, Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds, Ben E. King, Ricky Nelson, the Robbs, Lou Rawls, Tommy Roe, and Candi Staton. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

Patches (#2r, #4p, 1970) by Clarence Carter
American City Suite (#27p, 1972) by Cashman & West
Chelsea Morning (#78p, 1969) by Judy Collins
You're The Reason I'm Living (#3p, 1963) by Bobby Darin
After Closing Time (Not charted, 1967) by Hal Frazier
I've Found Someone of My Own (#20r, #5p, 1971) by Free Movement
Bella Linda (#28p, 1968) by Grass Roots
I'd Wait A Million Years (#15p, 1969) by Grass Roots
Midnight Confessions (#5p, 1968) by Grass Roots
Don't Pull Your Love (#4p, 1971) by Hamilton, Joe Frank And Reynolds
Don't Play That Song (You Lied) (#2r, #11p, 1962) by Ben E. King
Travelin' Man/ Hello Mary Lou (#1p, 1961) by Ricky Nelson
Ask Me No Questions (#18r, #40p, 1971) by B.B. King
Sweet And Innocent (#7p, 1971) by Donny Osmond
Movin' (#131p, 1969) by The Robbs
Dizzy (#1p, 1969) by Tommy Roe
In The Ghetto (#12r, #48p, 1972) by Candi Staton

Bobby Martin

Bobby Martin arranged (and sometimes produced) many Soul acts during the 1960s and 1970s, including Archie Bell & Drells, Jerry Butler, The Cruisers, Ecstasy, Passion & Pain, Fantastic Johnny C, Intruders, Jacksons, Manhattans, Harold Melvin & Blue Notes, L.T.D., Barbara Mason, Cliff Nobles, O'Jays, Billy Paul, Wilson Pickett, Lou Rawls, Three Degrees, Dee Dee Sharp, Vibrations, Joe Simon, and Johnny Williams. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger (and sometimes producer):

Only The Strong Survive (#1r, #4p, 1969) by Jerry Butler
There's Gonna Be A Showdown (#6r, #21p, 1968) by Archie Bell & Drells
Hey, Western Union Man (#1r, #16p, 1968) by Jerry Butler
Checkerboard Lover (Not charted, 1966) by The Celestrals
Day By Day (Every Minute Of The Hour) (#19r, #84p, 1971) by Continental 4
Take A Chance (Not charted, 1967) by The Cruisers
I Wouldn't Give You Up (#17r, #102p, 1974) by Ecstasy, Passion & Pain
My Little Cottage (By The Sea) (Not charted, 1967) by Fluffy Falana
Cowboys To Girls (#1r, #6p, 1968) by The Intruders
Enjoy Yourself (#2r, #6p, 1976) by The Jacksons
Kiss And Say Goodbye (#1r, #1p, 1976) by The Manhattans
The Love I Lost (#1r, #7p, 1972) by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) (#1r, #1p, 1974) by MFSB
(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again (#1r, #4p, 1977) by L.T.D.
The Horse (#2r, #2p, 1968) by Cliff Nobles
One Night Affair (#15r, #68p, 1969) by The O'Jays
Me And Mrs. Jones (#1r, #1p, 1972) by Billy Paul
Engine Number 9 (#3r, #14p, 1970) by Wilson Pickett
See You When I Git There (#8r, #66p, 1977) by Lou Rawls
When Will I See You Again (#4r, #2p, 1974) BY The Three Degrees
What Kind Of Lady (Not charted, 1967) by Dee Dee Sharp
Cause You're Mine (Not charted, 1968) by The Vibrations
Slow Motion (#12r, #78p, 1972) by Johnny Williams

Jack Nitzsche

Jack Nitzsche added a distinctive touch to the many tunes he arranged over the years, mainly in the 1960s. Phil Spector used him almost exclusively to arrange his "wall of sound" productions. Artists he created arrangements for included The Crystals, Bob B. Soxx, Lou Christie, Jackie DeShannon, Darlene Love, Don & Goodtimes, Bob Lind, Righteous Bros., Ronettes, Gene McDaniels, Ike & Tina Turner, and Ringo Starr. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Heart? (#38p, 1963) by Bob B. Soxx & Blue Jeans
Da Doo Ron Ron (#5r, #3p, 1963) by The Crystals
He's Sure The Boy I Love (#18r, #11p, 1963) by The Crystals
When You Walk In The Room (#99p, 1964) by Jackie DeShannon
(Today I Met) The Boy I'm Gonna Marry (#39p, 1963) by Darlene Love
A Fine Fine Boy (#53p, 1963) by Darlene Love
Needles And Pins (#84p, 1963) by Jackie DeShannon
I Could Be So Good To You (#56p, 1967) by Don & Goodtimes
Elusive Butterfly/ Cheryl's Goin' Home (#5p, 1966) by Bob Lind
Just Once In My Life (#9p, #26r, 1965) by The Righteous Bros.
Be My Baby (#4r, #2p, 1963) by The Ronettes
Walking In The Rain (#23p, 1964) by The Ronettes
River Deep-Mountain High (#88p, 1966) by Ike & Tina Turner
Photograph (#1p, 1973) by Ringo Starr
A Love Like Yours (Don't Come Knocking Every Day) (Not charted, 1967) by Ike & Tina Turner

Horace Ott

Horace Ott was active in the 1960s, working mainly with Soul and RnB artists, as well as others, including Florence Devore, The Animals, Bessie Banks, Dean Barlow, Dee Clark, Sam Cooke, Don Covay, Donal Height, Jay Holman, the Shirelles, Jive Five, Gladys Knight & Pips, Magnificient Men, Doris Troy and Jean Wells. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

Kiss Me Now (Don't Kiss Me Later) (Not charted, 1965) by Florence Devore
Help Me Girl (#29p, 1966) by The Animals
I Can't Make It (Without You Baby) (Not charted, 1967) by Bessie Banks
The Glory Of Love (Not charted, 1964) by Dean Barlow
Crossfire Time (#37r, #92p, 1963) by Dee Clark
Send Me Some Lovin' (#2r, #14p, 1963) by Sam Cooke
It's Better To Have (And Don't Need) (#21r, #63p, 1972) by Don Covay
You Can't Hold On To Love (Not charted, 1967) by The Determinations
Waitin' On The Right Guy (Not charted, 1964) by Four Bars
My Baby's Gone (#20r, 1966) by Donald Height
Love Is A Sweet Thing (Not charted, 1964) by Jay Holman
Tonight's The Night (#14r, #39p, 1960) by The Shirelles
I'm A Happy Man (#26r, #36p, 1965) by The Jive Five
Letter Full of Tears (#3r, #19p, 1961) by Gladys Knight & Pips
All Your Lovin's Gone To My Head (Not charted, 1966) by The Magnificent Men
In The Navy (#3p, #30r, 1978) by Village People

Gene Page

Gene Page began working as an arranger in the 1960s and by the 1970s was closely associated with the burgeoning Philly Soul sound. During his career, he worked with a vast array of artists, including Bob & Earl, Soloman Burke, Mel Carter, Merry Clayton, Randy Crawford, Marvin Gaye, Jim Gilstrap, Dobie Gray, Leon Haywood, Hues Corporation, Jackson 5, Elton John, The Leaves, Love Unlimited, Righteous Bros., Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Leo Sayer, Barbra Streisand, Bobby Taylor, Barry White and Al Wilson. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

Harlem Shuffle (#3r, #44p, 1963) by Bob & Earl
Got To Get You Off My Mind (#1r, #22p, 1965) by Soloman Burke
Put It In A Magazine (#2r, #40p, 1982) by Sonny Charles
Trying To Hold On To My Woman (#4r, #15p, 1973) by Lamont Dozier
Come Get To This (#3r, #21p, 1973) by Marvin Gaye
Swing Your Daddy (#10r, #55p, 1975) by Jim Gilstrap
See You At the Go-Go (#69p, 1965) by Dobie Gray
Sugar Lump (#35r, #108p, 1974) by Leon Haywood
Freedom For The Stallion (#63p, 1973) by Hues Corporation
Never Can Say Goodbye (#1r, #2p, 1971) by The Jackson 5
Philadelphia Freedom (#1p, #32r, 1975) by Elton John
Soft And Gentle Ways (Not charted, 1966) by Clydie King
Hey Joe/ Girl from the East (#31p, 1966) by The Leaves
Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love (#6r, #14p, 1972) by Love Unlimited
Love's Theme (#10r, #1p, 1973) by Love Unlimited Orchestra
Too Much, Too Little, Too Late (#1r, #1p, 1978) by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (#3r, #1p, 1964) by The Righteous Bros.
All Night Long (All Night) (#1r, #1p, 1983) by Lionel Richie
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing (#1p, #43r, 1976) by Leo Sayer
Stoney End (#6p, 1970) by Barbra Streisand
I'm Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby (#1r, #3p, 1973) by Barry White
You're The First, The Last, My Everything (#1r, #2p, 1974) by Barry White

Johnny Pate

Johnny Pate was a prolific arranger in the 1960s, mainly working with Chicago-based Soul and RnB artists such as Gene Chandler, The Impressions, Betty Everett, B.B. King, Major Lance, Marvelows, and the O'Kaysions. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger (and sometimes producer):

Man's Temptation (#17r, #71p, 1963) by Gene Chandler
What's This I See (Not charted, 1968) by June Conquest
Love Comes Tumbling Down (Not charted, 1967) by Betty Everett
Baby Show It (#29r, #116p, 1971) by The Festivals
Keep On Pushing (#1r, #10p, 1964) by The Impressions
People Get Ready (#3r, #14p, 1965) by The Impressions
You've Been Cheatin' (#12r, #33p, 1965) by The Impressions
Soul Self Satisfaction (Not charted, 1968) by Earl Jackson
Woman's Got Soul (#9r, #29p, 1965) by The Impressions
Don't Answer The Door (#2r, #72p, 1966) by B.B. King
The Monkey Time (#4r, #8p, 1963) by Major Lance
Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um (#1r, #5p, 1964) by Major Lance
I Do/ My Heart (#7r, #37p, 1965) by The Marvelows
Thanks For A Little Lovin' (Not charted, 1967) by The Trends
In the Morning (#24r, #105p, 1968) by The Marvelows

Richard Rome

Richard Rome was a popular arranger, mostly of Soul music, during the 1960s and 1970s. He worked with a broad array of artists, including The Formations, Archie Bell, Brenda & The Tabulations, Inez & Charlie Foxx, Terry Knight, Patti Labelle, Jackie Moore, the Showmen, Freddie North, Jackson Reese, Ritchie Family, and the Unifics. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

At The Top of The Stairs (Not charted, 1968) by The Formations
Who's Lovin' You (#19r, #66p, 1967) by Brenda & Tabulations
(1-2-3-4-5-6-7) Count The Days (#17r, #76p, 1967) by Inez & Charlie Foxx
Makin Up Time (Not charted, 1972) by Frankie & Spindles
Lizbeth Peach (Not charted, 1967) by Terry Knight
When You Go Take Your Memories Too (Not charted, 1968) by Mellow Moods
Sweet Charlie Babe (#15r, #42p, 1973) by Jackie Moore
What Would The World Be Without Music (#59r, 1977) by Mystique
Our Love Will Grow (Not charted, 1965) by The Showmen
She's All I Got/ Ain't Nothing In The News (But The Blues) (#10r, #39p, 1971) by Freddie North
Fickle Finger Of Fate (Not charted, 1969) by Pretty Purdie
Brazil (#13r, #11p, 1975) by Ritchie Family
Pretty Girl (Not charted, 1967) by Jackson Reese
It's A Groovy World! (#27r, #97p, 1969) by The Unifics
Love Being Your Fool (#24r, #106p, 1975) by Charles Whitehead

Leon Russell

Besides nurturing his own career in the 1970s, Leon Russell had worked behind the scenes as an arranger and producer for years beginning in the mid-1960s, sometimes with partner Denny Cordell. Artists he worked with include Glen Campbell, Joe Cocker, Dobie Gray, Harpers Bizarre, Brian Hyland, Gary Lewis & Playboys, and The Robbs. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger (and sometimes producer):

Cry Me A River (#11p, 1970) by Joe Cocker
She Came In Through The Bathroom Window (#30p, 1969) by Joe Cocker
The Letter (#7p, 1970) by Joe Cocker
River Deep - Mountain High (Not charted, 1967) by Dobie Gray
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) (#13p, 1967) by Harpers Bizarre
The Joker Went Wild (#20p, 1966) by Brian Hyland
Inferno (Not charted, 1963) by Johnny C. & The Blaze's
My Heart's Symphony (#13p, 1966) by Gary Lewis and the Playboys
She's Just My Style (#3p, 1965) by Gary Lewis and the Playboys
Sure Gonna Miss Her (#9p, 1966) by Gary Lewis and the Playboys
Next Time You See Me (Not charted, 1966) by The Robbs
Tight Rope (#11p, 1972) by Leon Russell
Act Naturally (Not charted, 1965) by Betty Willis

Sonny Sanders

Sonny Sanders was a popular arranger of mostly Soul music during the 1960s and 1970s, working with a large array of artists including Barbara Acklin, the Artistics, J.J. Barnes, Billy Butler, Gene Chandler, the Chi-Lites, Erma Franklin, Edwin Starr, Jackie Wilson, Fred Hughes, Major Lance, the Platters, Sandi Sheldon, the Reflections, Mary Wells, and Young-Holt Unlimited. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

Just Ain't No Love (#23r, #67p, 1968) by Barbara Acklin
I'm Gonna Miss You (#9r, #55p, 1966) by The Artistics
Now She's Gone/ Hold On To It (Not charted, 1968) by J.J. Barnes
Come Over To My Side (Not charted, 1967) by Billy Butler
24 Hours Of Sadness (#30r, #119p, 1970) by The Chi-Lites
Tell Her (Not charted, 1969) by Jimmy (Soul) Clark
Please Don't Say We're Through (Not charted, 1965) by The Debonaires
Gotta Find Me A Lover (#40r, 1969) by Erma Franklin
Agent Double-O Soul (#8r, #21p, 1965) by Edwin Starr
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher (#1r, #6p, 1967) by Jackie Wilson
Baby Boy (#25r, 1969) by Fred Hughes
You Don't Want Me No More (Not charted, 1967) by Major Lance
Washed Ashore (On A Lonely Island In The Sea) (#29r, #56p, 1967) by The Platters
You're Gonna Make Me Love You (Not charted, 1967) by Sandi Sheldon
These Are The Things That Are Special To Me (Not charted, 1977) by Manchild
Me And My Baby (Not charted, 1966) by Mary Wells
I Still Love You (#39r, #105p, 1969) by Jackie Wilson
Whispers (Gettin' Louder) (#5r, #11p, 1966) by Jackie Wilson

David Van de Pitte

Strongly associated with Motown and Motown producers, David Van de Pitte arranged scores of singles by a variety of mostly Soul artists, including Marvin Gaye, Millie Jackson, General Johnson, Eddie Kendricks, Denise LaSalle, Marvelettes, Originals, Spinners, Edwin Starr, Supremes, Johnnie Taylor, R. Dean Taylor, Jr. Walker & All-Stars, Wilson Williams and Stevie Wonder. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

What's Going On (#1r, #2p, 1971) by Marvin Gaye
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) (#1r, #4p, 1971) by Marvin Gaye
Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (#1r, #9p, 1971) by Marvin Gaye
If You're Not Back in Love By Monday (#5r, #43p, 1977) by Millie Jackson
Don't Walk Away (#42r, 1976) by General Johnson
Boogie Down (#1r, #2p, 1973) by Eddie Kendricks
Bennie and the Jets (Not charted, 1975) by Master Plan
The Bells (#4r, #12p, 1970) by The Originals
We'll Have It Made (#20r, #89p, 1971) by The Spinners
Up The Ladder To The Roof (#5r, #10p, 1970) by The Supremes
Disco Lady (#1r, #1p, 1976) by Johnnie Taylor
Indiana Wants Me (#5p, 1970) by R. Dean Taylor
Way Back Home (#24r, #52p, 1971) by Jr. Walker & The All Stars
If You Really Love Me (#4r, #8p, 1971) by Stevie Wonder

Jimmy Wisner

Jimmy Wisner arranged music for a multitude of artists throughout the music world in the 1960s and 1970s, including Len Barry, Bobby Bloom, the Buckinghams, Cowsills, Critters, Ronnie Dyson, Tommy James & Shondells, Jay & the Techniques, Grover Mitchell, the Sapphires, Spanky & Our Gang, Barbra Streisand, the Tokens, the Tymes, and Dee Dee Warwick. Here is a list of some of his biggest and most notable hits as an arranger:

1-2-3 (#11r, #2p, 1965) by Len Barry
Love, Don't Let Me Down (Not charted, 1967) by Bobby Bloom
Soldier Baby (Of Mine) (Not charted, 1965) by Candy & Kisses
And Suddenly (#45p, 1968) by Cherry People
The Rain, The Park & Other Things (#2p, 1967) by The Cowsills
Younger Girl (#42p, 1966) by The Critters
(If You Let Me Make Love To You Then) Why Can't I Touch You? (#9r, #8p, 1970) by Ronnie Dyson
I Think We're Alone Now (#4p, 1967) by Tommy James & Shondells
Caravan Of Lonely Men (Not charted, 1965) by Keith & Admirations
Ah Feel She Really Doesn't Wanna Do It (Not charted, 1971) by Grover Mitchell
Gotta Have Your Love (#33r, #77p, 1965) by The Sapphires
Sunday Will Never Be The Same (#9p, 1967) by Spanky & Our Gang
Our Corner of the Night (#107p, 1968) by Barbra Streisand
Portrait Of My Love (#36p, 1967) by The Tokens
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (#13r, #88p, 1966) by Dee Dee Warwick