Popular Songwriter, Scott English Dies At 81

Billboard has reported that popular songwriter and producer, Scott English is dead. The producer was reported to have died at age 81 on Tuesday.

English is known for writing “Brandy” which propelled Barry Manilow to the limelight in 1974 hit (retitled as “Mandy.” English also wrote other hit songs, including “Hi Ho Silver Lining” and “Bend Me Shape Me,” and he collaborated with the likes of Dionne Warwick, Carole King, and Amen Corner.

The managing director of Warner/Chappell Music UK, Mike Smith, while reacting to the news of his death, said, “Scott English was a gifted songwriter and an incredibly warm person who everyone loved working with. Even when he was ill in hospital, he was still working on new lyrics. ‘Brandy’, which went on to be popularised as ‘Mandy’, is a timeless pop classic, while his prodigious output included songs for artists ranging from Dionne Warwick to Thin Lizzy. He’ll be truly missed and our thoughts are with his family.”