Biography

Songwriter/producer/singer Greg Perry was a key player in Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invictus/Hot Wax Records whose roster included the Honey Cone, Freda Payne, Chairman of the Board, 8th Day, and 100 Proof Aged in Soul. His brother Jeffree Perry recorded "Love's Gonna Last" which became known as "the steppers national anthem," worked at Motown and with Jackie Wilson on his wonderful Beautiful Day album. While in his teens, Perry began his musical career at Chicago-based Chess Records working with legendary producer Billy Davis (the Dells, Fontella Bass). He turned down a publishing deal with Motown, opting instead to sign with Holland-Dozier-Holland's just-opened Invictus/Hot Wax Records. Meeting singer/songwriter General Johnson and lyricist Angelo Bond, the trio began to collaborate on songs, many of which became huge hits. They patterned themselves after the label's owners who were the songwriting/producing force behind much of Motown's classic sides. Most of the recording was done in Detroit at a converted movie theater on Grand River Avenue. Several of the label's musicians and arrangers went on to have successful careers. Tony Camillo produced Gladys Knight and the Pips' number one R&B/pop gold single, "Midnight Train to Georgia." Guitarist Ray Parker, Jr. had a gold- and platinum-laced career as Raydio and in his own name (the million-selling "Ghostbusters"). Dennis Coffey played guitar on many Motown and Westbound sides and had a million-seller with "Scorpio." McKinley Jackson co-wrote and produced mid-'70s hits ("Fish Aint Bitin'") for label co-owner Lamont Dozier on ABC. Bassist Bob Babbitt, keyboardist Sylvester Rivers, percussionists Jack Ashford, and Eddie "Bongo" Brown became A-list L.A. session players. Perry gained notoriety as a recording artist for his 1979 RCA LP, Smokin'. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi