David Ritz Popular Books

David Ritz Biography & Facts

David Ritz (born December 2, 1943, in New York City) is an American author. He has written novels, biographies, magazine articles, and over a hundred liner notes for artists such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Nat King Cole. He has coauthored 36 autobiographies, including some celebrities' autobiographies. Career and bibliography As a biographer Ritz's first collaboration was Brother Ray (1978), the autobiography of Ray Charles. Ritz has said that his initial intention was to write a biography until becoming intrigued by the idea of rendering the book entirely in Charles' voice. "That's when I discovered I had a gift for channeling voice", Ritz told the L.A. Times' Patrick Goldstein in 2012. "That discovery changed the course of my literary life."Other autobiographies co-written by Ritz include: Divided Soul: The Life of Marvin Gaye began when Ritz met Gaye in the late seventies and was published in 1985, a year after the singer's death. Rhythm And The Blues: A Life in American Music (1993) with Jerry Wexler Rage To Survive: The Etta James Story (1995) with Etta James Blues All Around Me: The Autobiography of B. B. King (1996) with B.B. King The Brothers Neville (2000) with the Neville Brothers True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself (2011) with Janet Jackson When I Left Home: My Story (2012) with Buddy Guy On Time: A Princely Life in Funk (2019) with Morris Day I’m Your Huckleberry (2020) with Val Kilmer Me and Sister Bobbie (2020) with Willie Nelson Let Love Rule (2020) with Lenny Kravitz KG - A to Z (2021) with Kevin Garnett Me and Paul - Untold Stories of a Fabled Friendship (2022) with Willie Nelson Share My Life (2023) with Kem Livin' on a Prayer: Big Songs, Big Life (2023) with Desmond Child Energy Follows Through: The Stories Behind Ny Songs (2023) with Willie NelsonRitz has also written an inspirational book. Messengers, a portrait of African-American gospel singers and ministers, was published in 2006, as well as memoir, The God Groove, in 2019. As a novelist Ritz's fiction ranges from sports fantasies--The Man Who Brought the Dodgers Back To Brooklyn (1981)-- to jazz fantasies--Blue Notes Under a Green Felt Hat (1989) and Barbells and Saxophones (1989). Ritz collaborated with Mable John on three Christian novels: Sanctified (2006), Stay Out of the Kitchen (2007) and Love Tornado (2008). He has also collaborated with rapper T.I. on two novels— Power and Beauty (2011) and Trouble and Triumph (2012).In 2016, Ritz collaborated with Willie Nelson on the novel Pretty Paper. As a children’s book author Brayden Speaks Up: How One Boy Inspired America (2021) with Brayden Harrington. Jason Goes For It (2023) with Brayden Harrington As a lyricist The platinum-selling song "Sexual Healing" was written in Ostend, Belgium in April 1982 and is credited as a collaboration between Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown, and Ritz. Ritz was not originally credited as songwriter. Ritz sued Marvin Gaye for songwriting credit; Ritz received credit only after settling with Marvin Gaye's estate after the singer's death. Ritz claims that the lawsuit was settled because he had interview tapes with Marvin Gaye in which Gaye says, "These are great lyrics you wrote."Ritz’s songs have also been recorded by Smokey Robinson, the Isley Brothers and Kem. David Ritz co-wrote three songs including the title track from Guy King's 2016 album Truth.Ritz co-wrote “Brothers in the Night,” theme song for the 1983 film Uncommon Valor. As a journalist “Happy Song: Soul Music in the Ghetto,” Ritz's first critical essay, was published in Salmagundi (1970). Dozens of other articles have followed, including “History of the Jews of Dallas,” D Magazine (1974); “Kids’ Stuff: Jackson Pollock, Jimmie Vaughan and the Architecture of Las Vegas,” Art Connoisseur (1998); “Show and Tell,” introduction to Rolling Stone's Tattoo Nation (2002); the forward to Lady Sings the Blues, the 50th-anniversary edition of the autobiography of Billie Holiday (2006); and “The Last Days of Brother Ray,” included in Da Capo's Best Music Writing of 2005. Personal life Ritz graduated from the University of Texas in Austin in 1966 (Magna Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa), and received a Masters of Arts from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1970, where he studied with literary critic Leslie Fiedler.He has been married to Roberta Michele Ritz since 1968. They have two children, twins Alison and Jessica, born in 1974. Awards 1992 Grammy, Best Album Notes for Aretha Franklin's Queen Of Soul - The Atlantic RecordingsRitz has also been nominated for four additional Grammys: “Ray Charles 50th Anniversary Collection,” Liner Notes (1997); “Ray Charles 50th Anniversary Collection,” Producer (1997); “Ray Charles—Pure Genius,” Liner Notes (2005); “Aretha Franklin—The Golden Reign,” Liner Notes (2008).1993 Ralph J. Gleason Award for Jerry Wexler: Rhythm and the Blues. 1995 Ralph J. Gleason Award for Etta James: Rage to Survive. 1996 Ralph J. Gleason Award for BB King’s Blues All Around Me 2000 Ralph J. Gleason Award for the Neville Brothers' The Brothers Neville 2006 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for liner notes of Johnny “Guitar” Watson: The Funk Anthology, released by Shout! Factory 2011 ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for liner notes of Nat King Cole & Friends: Riffin, released by Verve/Hip-O Select.com/Universal Music Enterprises 2013 Living Blues Reader's Poll, Best Book for When I Left Home: My Story – Buddy Guy and David Ritz – Da Capo Press 2013 Association for Recorded Sound Award for Best Historical Research in Blues/Gospel/Hip-hop/R&B for When I Left Home: My Story – Buddy Guy and David Ritz – Da Capo 2013 ASCAP Timothy White Award for Outstanding Musical Biography for When I Left Home: My Story- Buddy Guy and David RitzReferences External links Official website. Discover the David Ritz popular books. Find the top 100 most popular David Ritz books.

Best Seller David Ritz Books of 2024

  • Aretha Franklin synopsis, comments

    Aretha Franklin

    Mark Bego

    A frank examination of Aretha Franklin, Mark Bego’s definitive biography traces her career accomplishments from her beginnings as a twelveyearold member of a church choir in the ea...

  • Diana synopsis, comments

    Diana

    Andrew Morton

    The sensational biography of Princess Diana, written with her cooperation and now featuring exclusive new material to commemorate the 20th anniversary of her death.When Diana: Her ...

  • The London Ritz Book of Christmas synopsis, comments

    The London Ritz Book of Christmas

    Jennie Reekie

    Christmas at The Ritz London, with the choir singing carols in the opulent Palm Court and the Long Gallery lined with Christmas trees, is a glorious celebration of this ageold fest...

  • Aretha Franklin synopsis, comments

    Aretha Franklin

    Mark Bego

    A frank examination of Aretha Franklin, Mark Bego's definitive biography traces her career accomplishments from her beginnings as a twelveyearold member of a church choir in the ea...

  • Me and Paul synopsis, comments

    Me and Paul

    Willie Nelson

    Stories of Willie Nelson and Paul English's misadventures became legendary, but many have gone untolduntil now.Immortalized in Willie Nelson's road song "Me and Paul," Paul English...

  • The Power of Trust synopsis, comments

    The Power of Trust

    Sandra J. Sucher & Shalene Gupta

    A groundbreaking exploration of the changing nature of trust and how to bridge the gap from where you are to where you need to be.  Trust is the most powerful force underlying...

  • The God Groove synopsis, comments

    The God Groove

    David Ritz

    As a ghostwriter, biographer, and lyricist, David Ritz has worked with some of the biggest names in music, such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Marvin Gaye. Now, in his inspir...

  • Rocks synopsis, comments

    Rocks

    Joe Perry

    Joe Perry’s New York Times bestselling memoir of life in the rockandroll band Aerosmith: “An insightful and harrowing roller coaster ride through the career of one of rock and roll...