Richard Gottehrer

Richard Gottehrer (born 1940) is an American songwriter, record producer and record label executive. In 1997, he co-founded The Orchard, an independent music and video distribution company, with long-time partner Scott Cohen.
His career began as a Brill Building songwriter in the 1960s. His first number 1 record as a songwriter and producer was "My Boyfriend's Back" followed by other hits like “Hang On Sloopy” and "I Want Candy," eventually leading to the formation of Sire Records in 1966 with Seymour Stein. His career continued as producer for acts such as Blondie, The Go-Go's, Dr. Feelgood, Richard Hell, The Bongos, and the path eventually led him to Orchard Street in 1997.

Richard Gottehrer graduated from Taft High School. He pursued a B.A. in History at Adelphi University, and spent one year at Brooklyn Law School before leaving to pursue a career in the music industry. Gottehrer is Jewish.

Gottehrer came to prominence as a songwriter in the 1960s with his most notable songs being "My Boyfriend's Back" and "I Want Candy". As Feldman-Goldstein-Gottehrer (FGG Productions), he wrote various songs including "Sorrow" with Jerry Goldstein and Bob Feldman. The three were also known as The Strangeloves.

By the 1970s, he had progressed to record production, and was responsible for the debut albums by Blondie and The Go-Go's. Among the other artists produced by Gottehrer were Marshall Crenshaw, Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Joan Armatrading, The Fleshtones, The Bongos, Richard Barone, Mental As Anything, Robert Gordon, Link Wray and Dr. Feelgood.

With Seymour Stein, Gottehrer founded Sire Records, and in 1997 he co-founded The Orchard a digital music distribution company with longtime partner Scott Cohen.

In 2010, he produced Dum Dum Girls' debut full-length album I Will Be, and continues producing them to this day. He also joined the 9th annual Independent Music Awards judging panel to assist independent musicians' careers.

On May 5, 2014, Gottehrer received SESAC's "Visionary Award" at the 2014 Pop Music Awards for his 50+ years of achievements in the music industry.

• SESAC "Visionary Award" - May 5, 2014