KELLY GORDON
After a string of unsuccessful solo releases with Mercury Records, Kelly Gordon, an accomplished singer, songwriter, and producer, joined Capitol Records as a staff producer. One of his earliest and most notable projects was Bobbie Gentry’s Ode to Billie Joe, for which he transformed her demo by layering a haunting string arrangement composed by Jimmie Haskell. The result was a runaway success, earning nine Grammy nominations in 1968 and winning three. In 1969, Gordon stepped back into the spotlight as a performer, recording He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, a ballad penned by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Self-produced and released by Capitol with That’s Life as its B-side, both tracks appeared on his album Defunked. While Gordon’s version laid the groundwork, the song gained global recognition later that year through The Hollies’ hit rendition.