Tony Romeo

Tony Romeo
Born(1938-12-25)December 25, 1938
Troy, New York, U.S.
DiedJune 23, 1995(1995-06-23) (aged 56)
Pleasant Valley, New York, U.S.
GenresPop
Occupation(s)Songwriter, singer, producer
InstrumentPiano
LabelsColumbia Records

Tony Romeo (December 25, 1938 – June 23, 1995) was an American songwriter.[1] He is best known for writing the number 1 hit "I Think I Love You" by The Partridge Family as well as many other hit records, mostly during the 1960s and 1970s.[2]

Other hits written by Romeo include "Oh Boy (The Mood I'm In)" by both Diana Trask and Brotherhood of Man; "Walking in the Sand", sung by Al Martino, which reached number 9 on the Adult Contemporary charts in 1970;[3] "Indian Lake" for The Cowsills;[3][4] and "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" by Lou Christie.[5][6] He wrote songs for The Seekers, The Everly Brothers, Richard Harris[7] and David Cassidy[8] among others.[9] His songs were used in such movies as Rain Man (1988) and Gaby: A True Story (1987).[10] and the TV program The Debbie Reynolds Show (1969–1970).[11] Through colleague Wes Farrell's Pocket Full of Tunes songwriting agency, Romeo additionally created commercial jingles to advertise such products as Breck shampoo, Coty cosmetics' fragrance Muguet de Bois, Pall Mall cigarettes, and Scripto lighters.[12]

Off and on, during the 1960s and 1970s, he attempted to make a name for himself as a singer and recorded solo singles "My Ol' Gin Buddy and Me"/"Mr. Hunkachunk" for Columbia Records in 1966 and "Go Johnny Go"/ "Doctor Recommended Me a Potion" in 1977 for Lifesong Records. Overall, over 150 of his songs were recorded,[13] in addition to working as a record producer. In 1970, he wrote music and lyrics for a musical-theater version of A Dog of Flanders.[citation needed] He also produced the duo, Good & Plenty[2] (cf. Good & Plenty candy). He also wrote and produced the MGM album The Trout on which he performed along with his brother Frank Romeo and Cass Morgan, and the unreleased solo album Moonwagon.

Romeo wrote nine platinum records.[14] His most successful song, "I Think I Love You", was released in November 1970 by Bell Records, the first single released by The Partridge Family. The song hit number one on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles chart for three weeks: November 15 – December 5, 1970 [15]

During the last 15 years of his life, Romeo was a resident of Pleasant Valley.[16] He died at home at the age 56 on June 23, 1995. His death was attributed to a heart attack.[1][2] Romeo was survived by his mother Irene Romeo Perrelle of Watervliet, and his brother Frank Romeo of Watervliet.[17]

Compositions

[edit]
Title Year Original artist Album
"Ain't Life Grand" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"Anthem" 1972 Wayne Newton Can't You Hear the Song?
"Arizona Two Thoughts" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"As Long as There's You" 1973 The Partridge Family Crossword Puzzle
"Beautiful People" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"The Beginning" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"Being Together" 1972 David Cassidy Cherish
"The Best Way to See America" 1971 Lou Christie Paint America Love
"Blessed Is the Rain" 1969 Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge
"Blue Canadian Rocky Dream" 1972 Richard Harris Slides
"A Brand New Man" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
Breck Shampoo [commercial]
"Californie" 1966 Tomorrow's People [single]
"The Candy Kid" 1968 The Cowsills The Mission on the Bowery
"Carnival Girls" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"Children Dreamin'" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"Come On Joe" 1987 Jo-El Sonnier Come On Joe
"Count on Me" 1967 Peaches and Herb For Your Love
"Crazy Billy" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"Days of My Life" 1968 The Seekers [single]
"Dear Mom" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"Didn't We Love Each Other Good" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"Doctor Recommend Me a Potion" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"A Dog Named Flanders" 1970 [musical theater]
"Don Junior" 1974 Jim Ed Brown [single]
"Don't You Ever Give Up On Me, Baby" [songbook: Songs by Tony Romeo]
"The End" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"Everybody's Got a Home but Me" 1966 6/7/8 [single]
"Fresh Water" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"Get Away Said the Man in the Moon" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"Gin Buddy" 1972 Richard Harris Slides
"Go Johnny Go" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"The Good Dr. Jefferson" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"Good Mornin'" 1974 Lou Christie Lou Christie
"The Guy Who Did Me In" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"Happy" 1970 Paul Anka Life Goes On
"Hello and Goodbye" 1969 Steve Dworkin, Jerry Vale none
"Hello Hello" 1972 The Partridge Family Shopping Bag
"Hold Onto Me" 1969 Steve Feldman [Tony Romeo demo]
"Home for a Little While" 1973 Bubba Davis [single]
"Ho Hum" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"How I Spent My Summer" 1972 Richard Harris Slides
"Hushabye Wee Bobby" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"I am a Clown" 1973 David Cassidy Cherish
"I'm Coming Home" 1972 Richard Harris Slides
"I Can Hear My Heart Begin to Cry" 1987 Girls Next Door What a Girl Next Door Could Do
"I'd Like to Be with You" 1960 [published]
"I Don't Have to Tell You" 1972 Richard Harris Slides
"If You Ever Go" 1972 The Partridge Family Shopping Bag
"I'll Never Get Over You" 1973 The Partridge Family Bulletin Board
"The Image of You" [songbook: Songs by Tony Romeo]
"I'm Gonna Make You Mine" 1968 Camel Drivers [single]
"Indian Lake" 1968 The Cowsills Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools
"I Played My Part Well" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"Isn't It Hard to Tell the Truth" 1973 Cassandra Morgan Isn't it Hard to Tell the Truth [unreleased]
"I Think I Love You" 1970 The Partridge Family The Partridge Family Album
"It Means I'm in Love with You" 1973 The Partridge Family Crossword Puzzle
"It's One of Those Nights (Yes Love)" 1971 The Partridge Family Shopping Bag
"I Will Watch Over You" 1967 Peaches and Herb Let's Fall in Love
"I Would Have Loved You Anyway" 1971 The Partridge Family Sound Magazine
"I Wouldn't Be Lonely Anymore" 1967 The Bubble Gum Machine The Bubble Gum Machine
"Last Night" 1972 The Partridge Family Shopping Bag
"Livin' in a World Of Make Believe" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"The Love of a Woman" 1967 The Bubble Gum Machine The Bubble Gum Machine
"Mayola" 1968 Back Street Union [single]
"Milk Train" 1968 The Everly Brothers [single]
"Montage" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"Morning Rider on the Road" 1971 The Partridge Family Up to Date
"Mr. Hunkachunk" 1966 Tony Romeo [single]
Muguet de Bois 1969 Brooklyn Bridge [Coty Cosmetics' fragrance commercial]
"My Christmas Card to You" 1971 The Partridge Family A Partridge Family Christmas Card
"My My My" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"My Ol' Gin Buddy and Me" 1966 Tony Romeo [single]
"November Song" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"Oh Boy (The Mood I'm In)" 1975 Diana Trask The Mood I'm In
"Once Upon a Dusty Road" 1972 Richard Harris Slides
"The One and Only Original Sunshine Kid" 1975 Jimmy Hannan [single]
"One More Mile and Darlin' I'll Be Home" 1970 Kes Wyndham [single]
"Papa je t'amine" 1971 The Cowsills Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools
"The Path of Love" 1968 The Cowsills Captain Sad and His Ship of Fools
Paul Mall cigarettes: "Longer Yet Milder" 1970 [commercial]
"The People Theme" 1978 Sacco [Lou Christie] [single]
"Please Uncle John" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"(Point Me in the Direction of) Albuquerque" 1970 The Partridge Family The Partridge Family Album
"Poor Baby" 1968 The Cowsills The Best of The Cowsills
"Real Good Woman" 1971 The Changing Scene The Changing Scene
"Roseanne"/"Dear Bill" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"Roy" 1972 Richard Harris Slides
"Saddle the Wind" 1974 Lou Christie Lou Christie
Scripto Lighters [commercial]
"She Is the We of Me" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"Sing Me" 1973 David Cassidy Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes
"Ski-Daddle" 1966 6/7/8 [single]
"Slides" 1972 Richard Harris Slides
"Stay with Me" 1960 Four Voices [single]
"Stingray's Back in Town" 1966 Tomorrow's People [single]
"Stop By to Say Hi"/ "Rosanne is that You" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"Summer Days" 1971 The Partridge Family Sound Magazine
"Sunbeam" 1974 Lou Christie Lou Christie
"Sunny and Me" 1968 Good & Plenty [single]
"Sunny Jo" 1972 Richard Harris Slides
"Sunrise Highway" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"Teddy Bear's Picnic" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"That'll Be the Day" 1971 The Partridge Family Up to Date
"Theme from People Magazine" 1978 Lou Christie [CBS TV Series]
"There He Goes" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"There'll Never Be (A We Like You and Me)" 1975 Lou Christie Lou Christie
"Together We're Better" 1972 The Partridge Family The Partridge Family Notebook
"Two Little Clouds Passing By" 1975 Lou Christie Lou Christie
"Understanding Who I Am" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"Wha'cha Gonna Do For Me Now" 1967 The Bubble Gum Machine The Bubble Gum Machine
"Waco" 1971 Lou Christie Paint America Love
"Walking in the Sand" 1970 Al Martino [single]
"We Can Never Be Friends" 1972 David Cassidy Cherish
"Welcome Me Love" 1969 Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge
"Welcome to the Big Big Apple" 1977 Tony Romeo Moonwagon [unreleased]
"Wishwater" 1969 Dr. Wishbone's Revival [single]
"With a Little Love (Just a Little Love)" 1969 Debbie Reynolds [Debbie Reynolds 1969–70 TV show opening theme]
"Worse Day I've Been To" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"Yeah Yeah Yeah" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"You Are Always on My Mind" 1971 The Partridge Family Up to Date
"You Can't Hang On" 1968 The Trout The Trout
"You Can't Keep Me" 1967 Good & Plenty The World of Good & Plenty
"You Don't Have to Tell Me" 1971 The Partridge Family Sound Magazine
"You're All the Woman that I Need" 1970 Al Martino [promotional single]
"You're the Rock, You're the Rebel" 1987 Girls Next Door What a Girl Next Door Could Do
"Your Kite, My Kite" 1968 Brooklyn Bridge [single]
"You Were the One" 1974 Lou Christie Lou Christie

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Tony Romeo, songwriter, 56" (obituary), The New York Times, June 26, 1995, page B8.
  2. ^ a b c "The Dead Rock Stars Club 1994 - 1995". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  3. ^ a b (No author.) "Fayette County Youth Theatre sets two shows," The Valley Independent, July 28, 1970, page 27: This popular story ... has music and lyrics written by Suzanne Buhrer and Tony Romeo. ... Romeo has composed many songs, including Al Martino's hit 'Walking in the Sand,' music for Lou Christie, Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge, and The Cowsills' 'Indian Lake.'
  4. ^ (No author.) "Partridges hit with new ingredient, old family recipe," Charleston Gazette, March 27, 1971, page 8: The Partridges even trade shamelessly in Cowsills-style material. 'I Think I Love You' was written by Tony Romeo, composer of the Cowsills 'Indian Lake.' And Romeo has three songs on the new Partridge album.
  5. ^ "Hit parade hall of fame – Lou Christie". Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  6. ^ (No author.) "Tune In [column]: 'I'm Gonna Make You Mine'," Charleston Gazette (Charleston, West Virginia), November 11, 1969, page 12 (includes full lyrics and chords).
  7. ^ UPI. "Composer, guitarist causes big splash" (headline refers to a David Bowie album), Las Cruces Sun-News, December 20, 1972, page 21: Richard Harris, one of the better singers, continues to come on strong with "Slides" (ABC Dunhill DSX 50133). All but one of the 12 songs, a finale by Harris himself, were written by Tony Romeo, who conceived the album. Among the songs are 'I Don't Have to Tell You,' and 'How I Spent My Summer.'
  8. ^ Joe Davenport. "Records" (review of Cassidy's 1972 album Cherish), San Antonio Express and News, February 20, 1972, Sunday One section, page 21: "At first blush you get the impression Cassidy is more at home with Tony Romeo tunes than with others as he sings 'Being Together' and a great 'I Am A Clown,' on which the true qualities of Cassidy's ability comes forward."
  9. ^ AllMusic – Tony Romeo songlist
  10. ^ "AllMovie | Movies and Films Database | Movie Search, Ratings, Photos, Recommendations, and Reviews". AllMovie.com. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  11. ^ "Tony Romeo". IMDb.com. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  12. ^ "Romeo racks up 'de Bois', Billboard magazine, May 17, 1969.
  13. ^ "The Cowsills - Tony Romeo". Bapresley.com. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  14. ^ "Yahoo! Groups". Groups.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2001. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  15. ^ [1][permanent dead link]
  16. ^ The Cowsills website
  17. ^ The Sunday Gazette, June 25, 1995