Grammy Award-winner Freddie Perren, who produced records for Gloria Gaynor, the Jackson Five and the “Saturday Night Fever” album, has died. He was 61.
Perren, who lived in Chatsworth, died Dec. 16 after a long illness, said his wife, Christine Yarian Perren. He suffered a major stroke 11 years ago, she said.
Perren shared an Album of the Year Grammy in 1978 for producing two songs on the “Saturday Night Fever” album.
With Dino Fekaris, Perren produced “I Will Survive,” sung by Gaynor, which won the Grammy for best disco recording in 1979.
Perren was a member of the Motown Records production group the Corporation, which wrote and produced the Jackson Five’s first hits. The Corporation — including Motown founder Berry Gordy, Deke Richards and Fonce Mizell — produced the group’s “I Want You Back,” “ABC” and “The Love You Save.”
Perren also produced the Miracles’ hits “Love Machine” and “Do It Baby” while at Motown.
His post-Motown records include Peaches and Herb’s “Reunited” and “Shake Your Groove Thing”; the Sylvers’ “Boogie Fever” and “Hot Line”; and Tavares’ “Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel.”