Shep Pettibone
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Robert E. Pettibone, Jr. (born 15 July 1959, better known as Shep Pettibone) is a record producer, remixer, songwriter and club DJ, one of the most prolific of the 1980s. His earliest work known to the public was for one of New York City's top disco/dance radio stations, WRKS 98.7 "Kiss" FM, and later as remixer/producer for the disco label Salsoul Records. His prowess at production and mixing led him to work with such artists as Madonna and George Michael in the late 80's during the height of these artists' popularity. Shep's contribution to 1980s club music is too extensive to list completely. He was instrumental in bringing the early underground sound of house music into the pop mainstream by way of a hybrid sound (much to the dismay of some purists who preferred standard disco/dance and R&B). Though he was contemporaneous to others (such as Francois Kevorkian and Arthur Baker), he is certainly the most prominent DJ/Remixer to bridge the high Disco and House eras in popular dance music.
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[edit] The early days: 98.7 Kiss "Mastermixes"
He was one of the first to submit multiple remixes (with different approaches) to be released all on the same single. Today this is standard practice to market a song to a multitude of different radio formats and markets. Shep's remix skills became known to the public starting in 1982 when began to create "Mastermixes" of single hit songs for the New York City disco/dance radio station WRKS (98.7 Kiss FM). Shep's "Mastermixes" were remixes of hit disco and dance songs of the time, and continued into 1983, after which Shep became more closely involved with Salsoul Records and expanded into studio mixing and production. Shep's "Mastermixes" would often incorporate the "dub" version or instrumental version of the 12" single, using the vocal-only track or other unique portions of the various versions of the 12" singles. Shep made ample use of tape splicing and other methods of editing to create repetitive lines of music or vocals, often in quick, staccato rhythm, and he also made judicious use of tape delay and digital delay effects, usually opting for an eighth-note 'triplet' continuous echo effect either effected on a specific vocal or musical point, or set on a continuous mode with limited delay length to allow for an echoing effect as the music played. Some "Mastermixes" he did for 98.7 Kiss FM which featured these effects significantly include those for "Do It To The Music" by Raw Silk, and "So Fine" by Howard Johnson (both hits in 1982). Of such popularity were his "Mastermixes" that in late 1982 Prelude Records released a double-album LP set of "Mastermixes" by Shep for a number of Prelude-released songs. The remixes Shep did for D-Train's "You're The One For Me" and "Keep On" are considered classic "Mastermixes" from this set.
[edit] Later: work with Madonna, Pet Shop Boys & others
Shep added to his work at 98.7 Kiss FM from 1982 by working in the studio on a number of well-known 12" singles for Salsoul Records in 1983, including hits by Skyy, Inner Life, the Salsoul Orchestra and Loleatta Holloway, among others. His remix of First Choice's "Let No Man Put Asunder" is the version now found in the majority of urban dj's record crates. Shep also had a go at remixing "Dr. Love" (which had anthemized many a disco night in the late 70s as A Tom Moulton Mix). Moulton wished Shep luck, but later hinted that he didn't care for the remix.
Shep formed an early alliance with Pet Shop Boys, mixing "West End Girls" and co-producing some B-side material with the group, like "Was That What It Was?" (1986), "You Know Where You Went Wrong" (1987). He also did a notable "turnaround mix" for Level 42 on their "Something About You" single in 1985, garnering the record airplay and decent sales after its first release had been a flop.
His most famous work by far would be his remixes, writing and production collaborations with Madonna, starting in earnest in 1986 with the "Color Mix" of "True Blue". In 1987, he added new material to Madonna's "Into the Groove", significantly changing the arrangement so that Madonna could get more stage time and a broader performance out of the song. Shep had obviously been smitten with the record, as he had used the basic rhythm arrangement for New York teen queen Alisha's "Baby Talk" in 1985. He went on to remix several more of Madonna's hit singles, including "Causing a Commotion", "Like a Prayer" and "Express Yourself." Most notable were the duo's collaborations on the number one song "Vogue" and the "Erotica" album. Their association appeared to end soon after working on several songs together in 1994 for a Madonna album that did not eventuate. Madonna finished two of the songs with different collaborators (see Unreleased Madonna Songs). A third tune from this session, "Love Won't Wait", was later given to Gary Barlow (Take That's songwriter and singer), to record and it reached #1 in the UK in 1997 with co-writing credit given to both Shep and Madonna.
Shep helped British songbird (now millionaire songwriter and producer) Cathy Dennis,-producer of Kylie Minogue-, break US radio by means of his mixes of "Just Another Dream" and "Touch Me (All Night Long)". The latter is a definitive example of a "turnaround" mix, where a remixer significantly commercialises an otherwise uncommercial song for single release, usually resulting much improved sales for the associated album. Shep worked with Cathy on her second release, which did not perform as well as its predecessor.
In April 1987, Pettibone also produced the first version of the Pet Shop Boys hit "Heart", although an entirely new production would be used for the eventual single and yet another mix was used and produced by Andy Richards (producer Holly Johnson, Inga, O.M.D., & others), on the album Actually. Which was picked number one UK Single Chart in April 1988. Shep's version was eventually released on the 2001 2-disc re-release of "Actually".
[edit] Shep's snare drum sequencing
During Shep's peak years at the end of the 1980s, he established a trademark style of mix most easily identified by the use of a sequenced "machine gun"-sounding snare drum. Steve "Silk" Hurley simultaneously made use of a rapid fire snare, usually with more reverb applied. In England, the mixes of Phil Harding would feature this element (as one can hear on Bananarama's "I Can't Help It") and, less in the spotlight, Dancin' Danny D. and Mark Saunders (both respected remixers) were featuring variations of this motif in their own work (Danny D's snare usually lacked the syncopation of Shep's while Saunders was slower and displayed a pronounced "splash" effect). In contrast, Frankie Knuckles used the snare drum in an extremely sparing manner for his trademark "Def Classic Mixes". Shep's "bazooka snare" evolved into a singular sound that can be used with great accuracy to identify his remixes from the period 1988 to 1992, when present.
[edit] Was That What It Was?
Fans of Shep's 1986 remix of "Was That What It Was" for Pet Shop Boys may be interested to know that Shep did not mix that record: he was booked to do so but missed his plane, and his management mixed the song in his absence. It is unknown if Shep was consulting the manager over the phone. This fact went unnoticed until Pet Shop Boys revealed it in the liner notes for the Alternative CD anthology of b-sides and rarities. According to the cassette and 12 inch liner notes, Arthur Baker (Afrika Bambaataa, New Order producer) was in the studio guiding this mix.
Today, Shep Pettibone owns the Paradise Nightclub and The Empress Hotel in Asbury Park, New Jersey also Bingo Begui (Berazategui, Buenos Aires).
[edit] Selected remixing credits
- Afrika Bambaataa & The Jazz 5 - Jazzy Sensation (1982)
- Alisha - Baby Talk (1985)
- Alisha - Stargazing (1986)
- Arcadia - Say The Word (1985)
- Art of Noise - Beat Box (1984)
- Aurra - Baby Love (1982)
- Aurra - Checking You Out (1982)
- The Belle Stars - World Domination (1986)
- The B-52's - Summer of Love (1986)
- The B-52's - The Girl From Ipanema Goes to Greenland (1986)
- Bananarama - Preacher Man (1991)
- Barone - Shake It Up (´Til Ya Drop) (1985)
- Bee Gees - You Win Again (1988)
- Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is a Place on Earth (1988)
- Belinda Carlisle - I Get Weak (1988)
- Betty Boo - Doin' The Do (1990)
- Betty Boo - Where Are You Baby (1990)
- Bros - Drop the Boy (1988)
- Breakfast Club - Never Be THe Same (1987)
- The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queen Band - Dreamer (1987)
- Bros - I Owe You Nothing (1987)
- Candido - Jimgo (1983)
- Carol Williams - No One Can Do It (Like You) (1981)
- Cathy Dennis - Just Another Dream (1989)
- Cathy Dennis - Touch Me (All Night Long) (1991)
- Cathy Dennis - Everybody Move (1991)
- Cathy Dennis - You Lied To Me (1992)
- Cat Miller - Ready Or Not (1985)
- Communards - Never Can Say Goodbye (1987)
- Cyndi Lauper - Change of Heart (1986)
- Cyndi Lauper - What's Going On (1987)
- David Bowie - Day-In Day-Out (1987)
- Debbie Gibson - Electric Youth (1989)
- Debbie Harry - Heart of Glass (solo version, re-recorded) (1988)
- Depeche Mode - Behind the Wheel (1987)
- Diana Ross - Paradise
- Diana Ross - Shock Waves (1987)
- Duran Duran - I Don't Want Your Love (1988)
- Duran Duran - All She Wants Is (1988)
- Dusty Springfield - In Private (1989)
- Dusty Springfield - Reputation (1989)
- Eleonor - Adventure (1986)
- Elton John - I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That (1988)
- Elton John - Healing Hands
- Erasure - Chains of Love (1988)
- Erasure - Blue Savannah (1989)
- First Choice - Let No Man Put Asunder (1983)
- First Choice - Dr. Love (1983)
- Five Star - Rain of Shine (1986)
- Five Star - The Slightest Touch (1987)
- Five Star - Somewhere Somebody (1987)
- Five Star - Treat Me Like a Lady (1990)
- Five Star - Find the Time (1986)
- Five Star - If I Say Yes(1986)
- Four In Legion - Party In My Pants (1984)
- Fox The Fox - Precious Little Diamond (1984)
- George Benson - Twice the love (1988)
- George Michael - Hard Day (1987)
- Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive (1090)
- Howard Hewett - Stay (1986)
- Information Society - Walking Away (1988)
- Instant Funk - (Just Because) You´ll Be Mine (1986)
- The Jammers - And You Know That (1982)
- Jane Child - Don't' Wanna Fall In Love
- Janet Jackson - The Pleasure Principle (1986)
- Janet Jackson - Alright (featuring Heavy D of Heavy D & the Boyz)(1989)
- Janet Jackson - State of the World (1989)
- Janet Jackson - Love Will Never Do Without You (1989)
- Janet Jackson - Escapade (1989)
- Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation (1989)
- Janet Jackson - Miss You Much (1989)
- The Jets - Cross My broken Heart (1987)
- Katunga - El Negro No Puede (1984)
- Kim Wilde - You Came (1988)
- Laid Back - It´s The Way You Do It (1985)
- Laid Back - I´m Hooked (1985)
- The Latin Rascals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (1988)
- Labelle-Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx & Sarah Dash- Turn it Out
- Level 42 - Lessons In Love (1987)
- Level 42 - Something About You (1985)
- Level 42 - World Machine (1985)
- Lionel Richie - Love Will Conquer All
- Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam - I Wonder If I Take You Home (1985)
- Lisa Stansfield - This Is the Right Time (1989)
- Loleatta Holloway - Love Sensation (1983)
- Love and Money - Candy Bar Express (1986)
- Luther Vandross - Power of Love/Love Power (1991)
- Madonna - True Blue (1987)
- Madonna - Into the Groove (1987)
- Madonna - Causing a Commotion (1987)
- Madonna - Like a Prayer (1989)
- Madonna - Express Yourself (1989)
- Madonna - Keep it Together (1990)
- Madonna - Vogue (1990)
- Madonna - Erotica (1991)
- Madonna - Deeper and Deeper (1992)
- Madonna - Bad Girl (1992)
- Madonna - Fever (1991)
- Madonna - Rain (1993)
- Madonna - This Used to Be my Playground
- Mariah Carey - Someday (1991)
- Mariah Carey - There's Got to Be a Way (1991)
- Miami Sound Machine - Bad Boy (1986)
- Mico Wave - Star Search (1987)
- Mike & Brenda Sutton - Don't Let Go Of Me (1982)
- Natalie Cole - I Live For Your Love (1987)
- New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle (1986)
- New Order - True Faith (1987)
- Nick Kamen - Each Time You Break My Heart (1986)
- Nu Shooz - Point of No Return (1986)
- NV - It's Alright (1983)
- NV - Let Me Do You (1984)
- Olivia Newton-John - The Rumour (1988)
- Paul McCartney - Ou Est Le Soleil?
- Paula Abdul - Knocked Out (1988)
- Paula Abdul - Forever Your Girl (1988)
- Paula Abdul - Opposites Attract (1988)
- Pebbles aka Perri "Pebbles" Reid - Giving You the Benefit
- Phil Collins - Hang In Long Enough
- Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (1985)
- Pet Shop Boys - Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money) (1986)
- Pet Shop Boys - Love Comes Quickly (1986)
- Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done To Deserve This? (1987)
- Pet Shop Boys - Always on My Mind (1988)
- Pet Shop Boys - Heart (1988)
- Pet Shop Boys - Left to My Own Devices (1988)
- Prince - Hot Thing (1987)
- Prince - Glam Slam (1988)
- Run-D.M.C. - It's Tricky (1987)
- S-xpress - Hey Music Lover (1988)
- Seal (musician) – The Beginning (1991)
- Sheena Heaston - Eternity (1987)
- Siedah Garrett - K.I.S.S.I.N.G. (1988)
- Skyy - Show Me The Way (1987)
- Surface - Falling In Love (1982)
- Taylor Dayne - I'll Wait
- Taylor Dayne - Say A Prayer
- Technotronic - Techno Medley (1990)
- Terence Tren D'arby - Dance Little Sister (1987)
- Third World - One To One (1985)
- Third World - Sense Of Purpuse (1985)
- Thompson Twins - In the Name of Love
- Thompson Twins - Sugar Daddy (1988)
- Timex Social Club - Rumors (1986)
- Timex Social Club - Thinkin´About Ya (1986)
- Tina Turner - Foreign Affair (1989)
- Toney Lee - Reach Up (1986)
- Visual - The Music Got Me (1985)
- Weeks & Co. - Knock, Knock (1983)
- Wild Party - No One Knows (1987)
- The Wrestlers - Land Of 1,000 Dances?!!? (1985)
- Whitney Houston - So Emotional
- Whitney Houston - I Belong to You
[edit] Selected album production/writing credits
- Cathy Dennis - Everybody Move (To The Mixes) (1991)
- Cathy Dennis - Into the Skyline (1992)
- Cathy Dennis - The Irresistible Cathy Dennis (2000)
- Gary Barlow - "Love Won't Wait" (1997)
- Labelle - "Turn It Out" (1995)
- Madonna - The Immaculate Collection (1990)
- Madonna - Erotica (1991)
- Madonna - GHV2 (2001)
- Pet Shop Boys - "You Know Where You Went Wrong" (from b-side of "It's a Sin" single) (1987)
- Pet Shop Boys - "I Want to Wake Up" (from Actually album) (1987)
- Pet Shop Boys - "Heart" (appears on Actually/Further Listening) (2001)
- Taylor Dayne - Soul Dancing (1993)
- Taylor Dayne - Greatest Hits (1995)
- Taylor Dayne - Dance Diva: Remixes & Rarities (2005)
