Perry died in Los Angeles of cardiac arrest, the doctors could no longer help him. In recent years, he struggled with Parkinson’s disease.
“He was generous, funny, kind and made the world a better place. The world is a little less sweet without him. But it’s a little sweeter in heaven,” said actress Daphna Kastnerová, who was Perry’s close friend. Barbra Streisand paid tribute to him already in 2023: “Richard had a talent for finding the right song for the right artist.”
Perry, who won a Grammy in 2015, was extremely diverse in his work. He was a drummer and an oboist, helping songs to reach the top of the pop charts and charts. He worked on the Pointer Sisters’ hit I’m So Excited, as well as Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias’ To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.
Among his greatest works are Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain, Rod Stewart’s The Great American Songbook series, as well as the solo album of ex-Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, in which members of the disbanded group, John Lennon and George Harrison, took part.
Perry’s private life was as colorful as his work. He was a couple with singer and actress Cher and Tina Turner. For several years he lived with actresses Jane Fonda and Elizabeth Taylor. He was briefly married to actress Rebecca Broussard.
During his career he collaborated with Donna Summer, Julio Iglesias, Neil Diamond, Randy Travis, Ringo Starr, Diana Ross and Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart and Art Garfunkel.
