The Legendary Richard Barrett

By Norman (Otis) Richmond

When Richard Barrett passed in New York City recently there was little or no mentioned of him on urban radio. Who was Richard Barrett you might ask? If you live in Toronto and watch television you’ve more than likely heard the Three Degrees performing When Will I See You Again on a popular television commercial.
The original lead singer of The Valentines, Barrett was among the most creative and talented individuals of the era, and was instrumental in the careers of the many talented artists that were signed to George Goldner's plethora of successful labels including the Chantels, Dubs, Teenagers, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Flamingos, Cleftones, and others.
He served as a producer, A&R director, manager, and successful songwriter well into the 1970s, working with artists including Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and the Three Degrees. He was one of the first successful independent black record producers and also became a pioneering black producer on Broadway. Barrett died of prostate cancer at age 70. He passed away peacefully with his family by his bedside.
Many of the hip-hop generation will remember Ben Vereen playing Barrett in the film Why Do Fools Fall in Love. The film starred Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox, Lela Rochon, and Lorenz Tate. Barrett was portrayed by Tate who discovered Frankie Lymon.
A New York City daily lamented the fact that Barrett was not properly respected by urban radio in the big apple when he passed. David Hinckley pointed out, “When he died last Thursday, there was hardly a place on commercial New York radio that would play him at all – even though he helped give us records as important as the Teenagers’ Why Do Fools Fall In Love, the Chantels’ Maybe and the Three Degrees’ TSOP and When Will I See You Again.
“Few of these artists, of course, mean much to a 14 –year-old today. Or a 34 –year-old. Which is why commercial New York radio rarely plays them.
“A few years ago, Barrett’s death would have meant a salute on (Former WCBS-FM) Bobby Jay’s or Bob Shannon’s WCBS-FM show that night.”
“In 2006 that salute has moved. Matt the Cat on XM Satellite Radio dedicated Friday’s show to Barrett, assembled a strong tribute and closed it out with the Valentines ‘“Don’t Say Goodbye.”
This writer did a small tribute to Barrett on CKLN-FM 88.1’s Saturday Morning Live by discussing Barrett illustrious career with professor/author Gerald Horne and playing music by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Chantels, Little Anthony and the Imperials and the Three Degrees. Hopefully, Fitzroy Gordon’s new radio station can fill this vacuum. Clinton Morgan’s Eagle Force Entertainment brought in the Original Manhattans (featuring Blue Lovett and Gerald Alston), Melba Moore(who where backed by the Jay Douglas All-Star Band), Dobby Dobson, Jimmy Reid, Winston Hewitt, Lady Jade and Mr. Cooper have proven the market for Black music is still strong in this city.