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{{more citations needed|date=January 2013}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Gary Usher
| name = Gary Usher
| image =
| image =
| image_size = 150px
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| alt =
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| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1938|12|14}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1938|12|14}}
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]<br>United States
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], California, United States
| origin =
| origin =
| death_date = {{death date and age|1990|05|25|1938|12|14}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|1990|05|25|1938|12|14}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California<br>United States
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, United States
| genre = [[Rock and roll]], [[surf music]]
| genre = [[Rock and roll]], [[surf music]]
| occupation = [[Songwriter]], [[record producer]]
| occupation = [[Songwriter]], [[record producer]]
| instrument =
| instrument =
| years_active = <!-- YYYY–YYYY (or –present) -->
| years_active = 1960s–1990
| label =
| label = Capitol, Columbia, Together, Lan-Cet
| associated_acts = {{Unbulleted list|[[The Beach Boys]], [[The Byrds]], [[Dick Dale]], [[The Hondells]], [[Sagittarius (band)|Sagittarius]]}}
| associated_acts = {{Unbulleted list|[[The Beach Boys]], [[The Byrds]], [[Dick Dale]], [[The Hondells]], [[Sagittarius (band)|Sagittarius]]}}
| website = {{URL|1=www.garyusher.com}}
| website = {{URL|1=www.garyusher.com}}
}}
}}


⚫
'''Gary Lee Usher''' (December 14, 1938 – May 25, 1990)<ref name="AMG">{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/gary-usher-mn0000187123/biography|title=Gary Usher Biography, Songs, & Albums|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> was an American rock musician, songwriter, and record producer, who worked with numerous California acts in the 1960s, including [[the Byrds]], [[the Beach Boys]], and [[Dick Dale]]. Usher also produced fictitious surf groups or [[hot rod]] groups, mixing studio [[session musician]]s with his own troops ([[Chuck Girard]], Dick Burns and others). These bands included [[the Super Stocks]] (with the hot-rod song "Midnight Run"); the Kickstands;<ref>David N. Howard, ''Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings'', 2004, {{ISBN|147685209X}}: "Ever since Usher's early surf and hot rod days, he had been creating fictitious studio groups such as The Super Stocks and The Kickstands, imaginary bands to sate the hungry surf and hot rod record-buying audience."</ref> [[the Hondells]] with their No. 9 US pop single "[[Little Honda]]"; and others.
'''Gary Lee Usher''' (December 14, 1938 &ndash; May 25, 1990) was an [[Americans|American]] [[rock music|rock]] [[musician]], [[songwriter]], and [[record producer]]. He is known for working with California bands in the 1960s including [[The Byrds]] and several [[surf music]] acts including [[The Beach Boys]] and [[Dick Dale]].


== The Ghouls and ''Dracula’s Deuce'' ==
==Biography==
In 1964, Gary Usher, already known for his work in surf and hot rod music, ventured into the world of horror-themed novelty music with a studio project known as ''The Ghouls''. Rather than being a formal band, ''The Ghouls'' were a studio ensemble under Usher's direction, primarily recorded as a one-off for the album ''Dracula's Deuce''. The record blended surf rock with horror-comic themes and featured a mix of instrumental and vocal tracks. Each song leveraged macabre humor, with pun-filled titles like "The Little Old Lady from Transylvania" and "Be True to Your Ghoul," offering satirical nods to contemporaneous hits by Jan and Dean and the Beach Boys.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dracula's Deuce: Revving Through Gary Usher's Horror-Themed Hot Rod Record |url=https://buttondown.com/GutFeeling/archive/draculas-deuce-revving-through-gary-ushers-horror/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=buttondown.com |language=en}}</ref>1986 Gary usher co-wrote "Lets put the Fun Back in Rock'n Roll"with Joseph Nicoletti
Usher's early life was spent in [[Grafton, Massachusetts]]. He attended Norcross Grammar School with his sister, Sandra. Gary was kiddingly called "Chicken Feed" by his male classmates.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} He graduated from high school in [[Westborough, Massachusetts]] in 1957.
of Global Village music Co.(ascap)Laguna Beach, California.they Produced Frankie Avalon,Fabian and Bobby Rydell Known as the "Golden Boys of Rock" they Performed this Song as Command Performance For President Reagan at the Ford Theater on 1987.
Vocalist Richie Burns, who had previously collaborated with Usher on ''Black Boots and Bikes'', lent his voice to ''Dracula’s Deuce'', often using a Boris Karloff-like lilt reminiscent of Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s famed “Monster Mash.” Tracks like “The Graveyard Shift” bore noticeable similarities to “Monster Mash,” while others, such as the haunting “Monsterbilly Heaven,” stood out as unique entries in the genre.


Though the record did not achieve mainstream success, ''Dracula’s Deuce'' has since become a cult favorite, appreciated for its mix of ghoulish humor and surf rock sensibility. Despite its niche appeal, the album remains available on streaming platforms and has a loyal fanbase that revisits it during Halloween.
Though a musician in a number of [[California]] bands in the late 1950s, Usher gained notice in the early 1960s, writing and producing a number of hits for various [[Surf music|surf rock]] artists. He was the earliest outside collaborator of [[The Beach Boys]]' [[Brian Wilson]], a [[Hawthorne, California]] neighbor of his uncle, co-writing more than ten songs (among them "[[In My Room]]", "[[409 (song)|409]]", and "Lonely Sea"). According to Beach Boys biographer [[Steven Gaines]], Wilson's domineering father [[Murry Wilson]] clashed with Usher and discouraged Usher's close personal friendship and working relationship with his son. Usher later recalled that the nicest thing Murry Wilson ever said to him was "not bad, Usher, not bad" upon hearing Usher and Brian Wilson play "In My Room" after they had co-written it.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |url=http://albumlinernotes.com/Surfer_Girl_Shut_Down__V2.html |title=Surfer Girl/Shut Down, V2 |others=[[The Beach Boys]] |year=1990 |first=David |last=Leaf |authorlink=David Leaf}}</ref>


==Death==
⚫
Usher also produced fictitious surf groups or [[hot rod]] groups mixing studio [[Session musician|session musicians]] with his own troops ([[Chuck Girard]], Dick Burns and others). These bands include the Super-Stocks, with the hot-rod song "Midnight Run", and the [[Kickstand|Kickstands]].<ref>David N. Howard -Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings 2004 -147685209X "Ever since Usher's early surf and hot rod days, he had been creating fictitious studio groups such as the Super-Stocks and the Kickstands, imaginary bands to sate the hungry surf and hot rod record-buying audience."</ref>
⚫
Usher died of [[lung cancer]] at his home in his hometown of [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], on May 25, 1990, at the age of 51.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-02-mn-338-story.html |title=Gary Usher; Co-Writer of Beach Boys Hits |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2 June 1990}}</ref>

Survivors include his wife, Sue, three sons and a daughter.
In 1964, Usher co-wrote the song "Comin' On Too Strong" with Raul Abetya, and producer [[Terry Melcher]] took an interest in it. Reportedly, Melcher bet Usher that he could make it a hit...even with the distinctly un-hip [[Wayne Newton]] on lead vocals! The record (Capitol 5338), featuring a distinct [[Beach Boys]] feel (complete with a drum part and guitar licks reminiscent of "[[Don't Worry Baby]]") was a regional hit, peaking nationally at #65 in ''[[Billboard Magazine|Billboard]]'' in February 1965. (Backing vocals were provided by Melcher and recording partner [[Bruce Johnston]], who later joined the legendary California band.)

Later in the decade, he produced records for [[The Byrds]], [[The Peanut Butter Conspiracy]], Dick Dale, and [[The Sons of Adam]], as well as being the force behind a number of "studio-created" bands, including [[The Hondells]], [[The Super Stocks]], and [[Sagittarius (band)|Sagittarius]]. He also made varying attempts to record vocal sides for himself (including two co-produced by Brian Wilson: "That's Just the Way I Feel" b/w "Sacramento). His second record, "Tomorrow" (regarded by some music historians as the forerunner to the surf/hotrod genre of rock n' roll) b/w "Lies", was written and produced by Zane Ashton (aka Bill Aken), another young artist who was on the Lan-Cet Record Label at the same time. Usher also discovered the [[comedy]] group [[The Firesign Theatre]], using them on several of his projects for [[Columbia Records]] and producing their first album.

After being fired by Columbia Records, Usher decided to form a record label called [[Together Records]] in 1969 with friends [[Curt Boettcher]] and [[Keith Olsen]]. After talking to [[Motown]] for some time, in the hope of sealing a deal that never materialized, they signed a contract with Mike Curb's Transcontinental. Though several albums were released through the label, only the modest but visible success of ''[[Preflyte]]'' by The Byrds helped to pay for all their other projects. The label then folded when their distributor backed out of the deal in early 1970. Though his career waned after the 1960s, Usher continued to produce and write songs.

In the 1970s, Usher produced the first two albums by [[The Wackers]]. He also produced a concept album for a folk band called [[The Ship (band)|The Ship]]; most of the songs were quite long and contained no drums. He co-produced with Curt Boettcher ''The California Album'' in 1976-1977 (not released at the time), and a personal project: a book with a record called ''Beyond a Shadow of Doubt'', which only demoed at the time in 1972, along with collaborator [[Dick Campbell (singer-songwriter)|Dick Campbell]]. ''Beyond a Shadow of Doubt'' was released in June 2001 in Japan.

Usher issued an album in 1984 under the name of Celestium. The synth-laden LP was called ''Sanctuary'' and featured Tom Kelly as singer, Mike Meros and Alan Pasqua on keyboards, and Brent Nelson on drums on two songs (most of the other drums being digitally programmed). The engineer, Bill Fletcher, was also the bass player on a few cuts. Usher also worked with Brian Wilson again in 1986 but clashed with Wilson's controversial therapist [[Eugene Landy]]; most of this work has never been released. One of the last songs co-written by Usher was "Let's Put the Fun Back in Rock n Roll", co-written with singer-songwriter/producer Joseph Nicoletti in 1985. It was recorded by The Golden Boys ([[Frankie Avalon]], [[Fabian Forte|Fabian]], and [[Bobby Rydell]]) and performed for [[Ronald Reagan|President]] and [[Nancy Reagan|First Lady]] Reagan at [[Ford's Theatre]] on December 6, 1988.

⚫
Usher died of [[lung cancer]] at his home in Los Angeles, California at the age of 51.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1990-06-02/news/mn-338_1_beach-boys |title=Gary Usher; Co-Writer of Beach Boys Hits |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2 June 1990}}</ref> He was the father-in-law of [[Disney]] character animator [[Eric Goldberg (animator)|Eric Goldberg]].


==Selected discography==
==Selected discography==
===Rare 45 records===
Produced by Gary Usher
<gallery widths="220px" heights="200px">
File:garyUsher-titan.jpg|Gary Usher, 1960.
File:garyusher-lancet.jpg|Gary Usher, 1962.
File:garyusher-usherettes.jpg|Gary Usher and the Usherettes, 1963.
File:garyusher-pendeltons.jpg|The Pendeltons, 1963.
</gallery>

===Production===
===Production===
{{div col}}
*''Go Little Honda'' (1964, [[The Hondells]])
*''Hondells'' (1964, The Hondells)
*''Go Little Honda'' (1964, [[The Hondells]])<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
*''Hit City '65'' (1965, [[The Surfaris]])
*''Hondells'' (1964, The Hondells)<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
*''It Ain't Me, Babe'' (1965, The Surfaris)
*''Hit City '65'' (1965, [[The Surfaris]])<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
*''It Ain't Me, Babe'' (1965, The Surfaris)<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
*''In Action'' (1966, Keith Allison)
*''In Action'' (1966, Keith Allison)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/vinyl/album/cs9441|title=Vinyl Album: Keith Allison - Keith Allison In Action (1967)|website=45worlds.com|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*''An Esoteric Qabalistic Service'' (1966, Rev. [[Ann Davies (occultist)|Ann Davies]] with the [[Builders of the Adytum]] Choir)
*''An Esoteric Qabalistic Service'' (1966, Rev. [[Ann Davies (occultist)|Ann Davies]] with the [[Builders of the Adytum]] Choir)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7290451-Ann-Davies-An-Esoteric-Qabalistic-Service|title=Ann Davies – "An Esoteric Qabalistic Service" (1975, Gatefold, Vinyl)|access-date=16 October 2021|website=Discogs.com}}</ref>
*''[[Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers]]'' (1967, [[Gene Clark]])
*''[[Younger Than Yesterday]]'' (1967, [[The Byrds]])
*''[[Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers]]'' (1967, [[Gene Clark]])<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
*''[[The Peanut Butter Conspiracy Is Spreading]]'' (1967, [[The Peanut Butter Conspiracy]])
*''[[Younger Than Yesterday]]'' (1967, [[The Byrds]])<ref name="AMG"/>
⚫
*''[[The Peanut Butter Conspiracy Is Spreading]]'' (1967, [[The Peanut Butter Conspiracy]])<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
*''Of Cabbages and Kings'' (1967, [[Chad & Jeremy]])
*''Of Cabbages and Kings'' (1967, [[Chad & Jeremy]])<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
⚫
*''[[The Great Conspiracy (album)|The Great Conspiracy]]'' (1967, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy)
*''[[The Great Conspiracy (album)|The Great Conspiracy]]'' (1967, The Peanut Butter Conspiracy)<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
*''[[Present Tense (Sagittarius album)|Present Tense]]'' (1968, [[Sagittarius (band)|Sagittarius]])
*''[[Present Tense (Sagittarius album)|Present Tense]]'' (1968, [[Sagittarius (band)|Sagittarius]])<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
*''The Ark'' (1968, Chad & Jeremy)
*''The Ark'' (1968, Chad & Jeremy)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-ark-mw0000345112/credits|title=The Ark - Chad & Jeremy &#124; Credits |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*''[[The Notorious Byrd Brothers]]'' (1968, The Byrds)
*''[[Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him]]'' (1968, [[The Firesign Theatre]])
*''[[The Notorious Byrd Brothers]]'' (1968, The Byrds)<ref name="AMG"/>
*''[[Sweetheart of the Rodeo]]'' (1968, The Byrds)
*''[[Waiting for the Electrician or Someone Like Him]]'' (1968, [[The Firesign Theatre]])<ref name="LarkinGE"/>
*''[[Sweetheart of the Rodeo]]'' (1968, The Byrds)<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=2565}}</ref>
*''Wackering Heights'' (1972, [[The Wackers]])
*''Wackering Heights'' (1972, [[The Wackers]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/wackering-heights-mw0000260032/credits|title=Wackering Heights - Wackers &#124; Credits |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*''[[Going Public (Bruce Johnston album)|Going Public]]'' (1977, [[Bruce Johnston]])
*''[[Going Public (Bruce Johnston album)|Going Public]]'' (1977, [[Bruce Johnston]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/going-public-mw0000109334/credits|title=Going Public - Bruce Johnston &#124; Credits |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*''Sanctuary'' (1984, Celestium)
*"Sanctuary" (1984, Celestium)<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/3404303|title=Celestium - Sanctuary|access-date=16 October 2021|website=45cat.com}}</ref>
"Let's put the fun back in Rock'n roll" co-written with Joseph Nicoletti jr.(ascap) Recorded by Frankie Avalon,Fabian,&Bobby Rydell "The Golden Boys of Rock" 1986
{{div col end}}


===Songwriting===
===Songwriting===
{{div col}}1986 "Lets Put the Fun Back in Rock'n Roll" co-written with Joseph Nicoletti
*"[[409 (song)|409]]" (1962, The Beach Boys)
*"Lonely Sea" (1962, The Beach Boys)
*"[[409 (song)|409]]" (1962, The Beach Boys)<ref name="AMG"/>
*"Lonely Sea" (1962, The Beach Boys)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/surfin-usa-mw0001955277|title=Surfin' U.S.A. - The Beach Boys &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*"[[Ten Little Indians (Beach Boys song)|Ten Little Indians]]" (1962, The Beach Boys)
*"[[Ten Little Indians (The Beach Boys song)|Ten Little Indians]]" (1962, The Beach Boys)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/surfin-safari-surfin-usa-mw0000203289|title=Surfin' Safari/Surfin' U.S.A. - The Beach Boys &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*"[[In My Room]]" (1963, The Beach Boys)
*"Beach Party" (1963, [[Frankie Avalon]])
*"[[In My Room]]" (1963, The Beach Boys)<ref name="AMG"/>
*"Beach Party" (1963, [[Frankie Avalon]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/25-all-time-greatest-hits-mw0000218381|title=25 All-Time Greatest Hits - Frankie Avalon &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*"Mag Wheels" (1963, Dick Dale and the Del-Tones)
*"Mag Wheels" (1963, Dick Dale and the Del-Tones)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/mag-wheels-mt0005750807|title=Mag Wheels - Dick Dale & His Del-Tones &#124; Song Info |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*"We'll Run Away" (1964, The Beach Boys)
*"We'll Run Away" (1964, The Beach Boys)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/all-summer-long-mw0000319105|title=All Summer Long - The Beach Boys &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*"Comin' On Too Strong" (1965, [[Wayne Newton]])
*"Comin' On Too Strong" (1965, [[Wayne Newton]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/coming-on-too-strong-mt0012068571|title=Coming on Too Strong - Wayne Newton &#124; Song Info |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*"The Truth Is Not Real" (1968, Sagittarius)
*"The Truth Is Not Real" (1968, Sagittarius)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/present-tense-mw0000026086|title=Present Tense - Sagittarius &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*"The Blue Marble" (1969, Sagittarius)
*"The Blue Marble" (1969, Sagittarius)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/the-blue-marble-mt0009734411|title=The Blue Marble - Sagittarius &#124; Song Info |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*"[[Don't Give In to Him]]" (1969, [[Gary Puckett & The Union Gap]])
*"[[Don't Give In to Him]]" (1969, [[Gary Puckett & The Union Gap]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-deluxe-mw0000191370|title=Greatest Hits [Deluxe] - Gary Puckett, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref>
*"(Friend)Ships" (1971, Gary Usher)
*"(Friend)Ships" (1971, Gary Usher)
*"Sanctuary" (1983, Celestium and later [[Laura Branigan]] and the J-Pop artist [[Reimy]])
*"Sanctuary" (1983, Celestium and later [[Laura Branigan]] and the J-Pop artist [[Reimy]])<ref name="auto"/>
*"Let's Go To Heaven In My Car" (1986, Brian Wilson) (Note - Gary Usher's son, Gary Usher Jr., plays the guitar solo.)
*"Let's Go To Heaven In My Car" (1986, Brian Wilson)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/lets-go-to-heaven-in-my-car-mt0046425953|title=Let's Go to Heaven in My Car - Brian Wilson &#124; Song Info |website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=16 October 2021}}</ref> (Note - Gary Usher's son, Gary Usher Jr., played the guitar solo)
*"Christmas Time" (1986, Brian Wilson)
* "Let's put the Fun back in Rock'n Roll"(1986 co-written with Joseph Nicoletti jr.-ascap)- Recorded by Frankie Avalon, Fabian & Bobby Rydell "The Golden Boys of Rock"
{{div col end}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


===Sources===
==Further reading==
*{{cite book|title=The California Sound - An Insider's Story. The Musical Biography of Gary Lee Usher |last=McParland |first=Stephen J. |year=2000 |publisher=CMusic Publishing |asin=B006VXTC3Q}}
*{{cite book|ref=none|title=The California Sound - An Insider's Story. The Musical Biography of Gary Lee Usher |last=McParland |first=Stephen J. |year=2000 |publisher=CMusic Publishing |asin=B006VXTC3Q}}
*{{cite book|title=The Brian Wilson Project |last=McParland |first=Stephen J. |year=2013 |publisher=Berlot |isbn=978-2954483405}}
*{{cite book|ref=none|title=The Brian Wilson Project |last=McParland |first=Stephen J. |year=2013 |publisher=Berlot |isbn=978-2954483405}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p133682}}
*{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p133682}}
*{{IMDb name|0882319}}
*{{IMDb name|0882319}}
*{{Find a Grave|30807621}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Songwriters from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Songwriters from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:The Forte' Four members]]
[[Category:The Forte' Four members]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]]
[[Category:California Sound]]
[[Category:California Sound]]
⚫
[[Category:20th-century American songwriters]]
[[Category:California Music members]]


{{US-bio-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:11, 3 November 2024

Gary Usher
Birth nameGary Lee Usher
Born(1938-12-14)December 14, 1938
Los Angeles, California, United States
DiedMay 25, 1990(1990-05-25) (aged 51)
Los Angeles, California, United States
GenresRock and roll, surf music
Occupation(s)Songwriter, record producer
Years active1960s–1990
LabelsCapitol, Columbia, Together, Lan-Cet
Websitewww.garyusher.com

Gary Lee Usher (December 14, 1938 – May 25, 1990)[1] was an American rock musician, songwriter, and record producer, who worked with numerous California acts in the 1960s, including the Byrds, the Beach Boys, and Dick Dale. Usher also produced fictitious surf groups or hot rod groups, mixing studio session musicians with his own troops (Chuck Girard, Dick Burns and others). These bands included the Super Stocks (with the hot-rod song "Midnight Run"); the Kickstands;[2] the Hondells with their No. 9 US pop single "Little Honda"; and others.

The Ghouls and Dracula’s Deuce

[edit]

In 1964, Gary Usher, already known for his work in surf and hot rod music, ventured into the world of horror-themed novelty music with a studio project known as The Ghouls. Rather than being a formal band, The Ghouls were a studio ensemble under Usher's direction, primarily recorded as a one-off for the album Dracula's Deuce. The record blended surf rock with horror-comic themes and featured a mix of instrumental and vocal tracks. Each song leveraged macabre humor, with pun-filled titles like "The Little Old Lady from Transylvania" and "Be True to Your Ghoul," offering satirical nods to contemporaneous hits by Jan and Dean and the Beach Boys.[3]1986 Gary usher co-wrote "Lets put the Fun Back in Rock'n Roll"with Joseph Nicoletti of Global Village music Co.(ascap)Laguna Beach, California.they Produced Frankie Avalon,Fabian and Bobby Rydell Known as the "Golden Boys of Rock" they Performed this Song as Command Performance For President Reagan at the Ford Theater on 1987. Vocalist Richie Burns, who had previously collaborated with Usher on Black Boots and Bikes, lent his voice to Dracula’s Deuce, often using a Boris Karloff-like lilt reminiscent of Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s famed “Monster Mash.” Tracks like “The Graveyard Shift” bore noticeable similarities to “Monster Mash,” while others, such as the haunting “Monsterbilly Heaven,” stood out as unique entries in the genre.

Though the record did not achieve mainstream success, Dracula’s Deuce has since become a cult favorite, appreciated for its mix of ghoulish humor and surf rock sensibility. Despite its niche appeal, the album remains available on streaming platforms and has a loyal fanbase that revisits it during Halloween.

Death

[edit]

Usher died of lung cancer at his home in his hometown of Los Angeles, California, on May 25, 1990, at the age of 51.[4] Survivors include his wife, Sue, three sons and a daughter.

Selected discography

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Songwriting

[edit]
1986 "Lets Put the Fun Back in Rock'n Roll" co-written with Joseph Nicoletti

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e "Gary Usher Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  2. ^ David N. Howard, Sonic Alchemy: Visionary Music Producers and Their Maverick Recordings, 2004, ISBN 147685209X: "Ever since Usher's early surf and hot rod days, he had been creating fictitious studio groups such as The Super Stocks and The Kickstands, imaginary bands to sate the hungry surf and hot rod record-buying audience."
  3. ^ "Dracula's Deuce: Revving Through Gary Usher's Horror-Themed Hot Rod Record". buttondown.com. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
  4. ^ "Gary Usher; Co-Writer of Beach Boys Hits". Los Angeles Times. 2 June 1990.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2565. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  6. ^ "Vinyl Album: Keith Allison - Keith Allison In Action (1967)". 45worlds.com. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Ann Davies – "An Esoteric Qabalistic Service" (1975, Gatefold, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  8. ^ "The Ark - Chad & Jeremy | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Wackering Heights - Wackers | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Going Public - Bruce Johnston | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Celestium - Sanctuary". 45cat.com. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Surfin' U.S.A. - The Beach Boys | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Surfin' Safari/Surfin' U.S.A. - The Beach Boys | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  14. ^ "25 All-Time Greatest Hits - Frankie Avalon | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Mag Wheels - Dick Dale & His Del-Tones | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  16. ^ "All Summer Long - The Beach Boys | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Coming on Too Strong - Wayne Newton | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Present Tense - Sagittarius | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  19. ^ "The Blue Marble - Sagittarius | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  20. ^ "Greatest Hits [Deluxe] - Gary Puckett, Gary Puckett & the Union Gap | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  21. ^ "Let's Go to Heaven in My Car - Brian Wilson | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 October 2021.

Further reading

[edit]
  • McParland, Stephen J. (2000). The California Sound - An Insider's Story. The Musical Biography of Gary Lee Usher. CMusic Publishing. ASIN B006VXTC3Q.
  • McParland, Stephen J. (2013). The Brian Wilson Project. Berlot. ISBN 978-2954483405.
[edit]


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