Johnny Franz

Johnny Franz (born John Charles Franz, 23 February 1922 — 29 January 1977) was a UK record producer and A&R man at the Philips label in Britain, which was established in 1953.

He recorded many prolific British artists who were on the label at the time, including a young Shirley Bassey, as well as Frankie Vaughan, Anne Shelton, Robert Earl, Susan Maughan, Marty Wilde, Harry Secombe, Winifred Atwell, The Springfields and later Dusty Springfield. Franz also worked with key Americans under license from Columbia Records, such as Johnnie Ray and Rosemary Clooney. Franz's production "trademarks" were a lush choir and big orchestra, provided in the 1950s by Wally Stott.

Franz produced ten UK number ones enjoying, in total, twenty eight weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart.

* "Let's Have Another Party" - Winifred Atwell (1954)
* "Lay Down Your Arms" - Anne Shelton (1956)
* "The Garden of Eden" - Frankie Vaughan (1957)
* "As I Love You" - Shirley Bassey (1959)
* "Tower of Strength" - Frankie Vaughan (1961)
* "Juliet" - The Four Pennies (1964)
* "Make It Easy on Yourself" - The Walker Brothers (1965)
* "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" - The Walker Brothers (1966)
* "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" - Dusty Springfield (1966)
* "Welcome Home" - Peters and Lee (1973)

Johnny Franz died in 1977, at the age of 54.

External links

* [http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/artistbio.asp?CTR=215464 Johnny Franz biography]