Sonny Limbo

Last updated
Sonny Limbo
Birth nameRobert Ladale Limbaugh
OriginUnited states
DiedDecember 27, 1992(1992-12-27) (aged 49)
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, producer
Formerly ofThe Sonny Limbo Superband
Spouse(s)Frances Mullins

Sonny Limbo was an American record producer, arranger and composer. His production credits include, "I Wanna Come Over" for Alabama, "Tell Me a Lie" for Sami Jo, and albums, Just Another Day in Paradise for Bertie Higgins and Live It Up! for Holly Woods.

Contents

Background

His hit compositions include, "God Loves Us (When We All Sing Together)" by Sami Jo, "What If (I Said I Love You)" by Unipop, "Backstreet Ballet" by Savannah, and "Key Largo", "Just Another Day in Paradise", "When You Fall in Love" and "Homeless People" by Bertie Higgins. [1]

Together with Mickey Buckins, Limbo produced the self-titled album for Eddie Middleton who was discovered by A&R man, Steve Popovich. The album was recorded at Bill Lowery's Lowery Studio. It was released in 1977. [2]

He has played a role in the development of the careers of several artists, including the group Alabama. [3]

Limbo has also worked with Cissy Houston. [4]

Career

Working with Mickey Buckins, Limbo produced "Crystal Blue Persuasion" for the group, The Naturals, a Shout Records act. It was reviewed in the January 4, 1975, issue of Record World. The magazine had it as a sleeper. The reviewer said that this particular recording seemed to be more resilient and persuasive than the original. [5]

Working with Buckins, they produced "God Loves Us (When We All Sing Together)" for Sami Jo & Friends. The record made its debut at no. 96 in the Record World Country Singles Chart on the week of May 1, 1976. [6] [7] [8] It peaked at no. 79 on the week of May 22 and held the position for another week. [9] [10] [11]

Limbo and Mickey Buckins produced the song "We Don't Live Here, We Just Love Here", [12] which was composed by Buckins and copyright registered in October, 1977. [13] It was recorded by Big Ben Atkins. In addition to Limbo's and Buckins' production roles, Nelson Larkin was the executive producer. The song was backed with a Mentor Williams & Dan Penn composition "Baby Blue Eyes". Tt was released as a single on GRT 161 in 1978. [14] It would prove to be a success for Atkins that year. [15]

In 1980, Bertie Higgins moved to Atlanta. There he came into contact with Sonny Limbo. Limbo set up a meeting between Higgins and music publisher, Bill Lowery. [16] Limbo co-produced Bertie Higgins' Just Another Day In Paradise album which was released in 1982. He was also one of the engineers. [17] He co-wrote seven of the ten songs on the album. [18]

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References

  1. ↑ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Sonny Limbo, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography
  2. ↑ Safe at Home Productions, Jan 28, 2018 - Tail of the Weak 3.4
  3. ↑ South Florida State College, Feb. 2, 2021 - International Recording Artist Bertie Higgins at SFSC
  4. ↑ American Songwriter - Behind The Song: Gladys Knight & The Pips, “Midnight Train To Georgia” by Jim Weatherly By Jason Scott
  5. ↑ Record World, January 4, 1975 - Page 1 HITS OF THE WEEK, SLEEPERS
  6. ↑ 45Cat - Sami Jo And Friends - Discography
  7. ↑ Record World, May 22, 1976 - Page 52 RECORD WORLD COUNTRY SINGLES PUBLISHERS LIST, GOD LOVES (WHEN WE ALL SING TOGETHER) Sonny Limbo & Mickey Buckins ( Lowery, BMI) 79
  8. ↑ Record World, May 1, 1976 - Page 72 THE COUNTRY SINGLES CHART, MAY 1 96, APR. 24 -, WKS ON CHART 1
  9. ↑ Record World, May 22, 1976 - Page 58 THE COUNTRY SINGLES CHART, May 22 79, May 15 82 WKS. ON CHART 4
  10. ↑ Record World, May 29, 1976 - Page 108 MAY 29 77, MAY 22, 77, WKS. ON CHART 5
  11. ↑ Record World, June 5, 1976 - Page 86 THE COUNTRY SINGLES CHART
  12. ↑ Hideki Watanabe Archives - GRT -AS BIG BEN ATKINS
  13. ↑ Catalogue of Copyright Entries: Third Series Volume 31, Part 5, Number 2, Section 2
    Music, Current and Renewal Registrations, July-December 1977 ISSN 0041-7866 - Page 2548 We don't live here (we just love here) w & m Mickey Buckins
  14. ↑ Hideki Watanabe Archives - GRT -AS BIG BEN ATKINS
  15. ↑ Record World, October 21, 1978 - Page 82 Red O'Donnell's Year in Review (Continued from page 68), MAY
  16. ↑ South Florida State College, Feb. 2, 2021 - International Recording Artist Bertie Higgins at SFSC
  17. ↑ Session Days - 1982 Bertie Higgins – Just Another Day In Paradise, Liner Notes
  18. ↑ Session Days - 1982 Bertie Higgins – Just Another Day In Paradise, Tracks
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