Anders & Poncia – 2012
In between their successful runs with the Videls and the Tradewinds, Anders & Poncia became two of the most successful composers & producers of the ’60s and ’70s & participated in some of the landmark recordings of the rock ‘n’ roll era while working with Phil Spector during his creation of “The Wall Of Sound.”
This Providence-born duo first achieved success in 1960 when their doo-wop group, The Videls, went national with an Anders & Poncia original, “Mister Lonely.” They parlayed their success into a decade-long career as staff writers whose songs were recorded by artists such as Elvis Presley, Jackie Wilson and The Ronettes. They were also producers and performed themselves under the names The Tradewinds (“New York’s A Lonely Town”) and The Innocence (“There’s Got To Be A Word.”) After splitting in 1972, each continued on to even greater heights. Vini Poncia, working as an associate producer and songwriter for Richard Perry, was involved with all four Beatles during the solo years composing the smash hit “Oh My My” for Ringo Starr and became a Grammy winner for writing and co-producing Leo Sayer’s #1 hit “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing.” He won many platinum awards for producing major acts such as Melissa Manchester and Kiss. Peter Anders released a solo album in 1974 and then concentrated on his songwriting career with compositions covered by dozens of artists including Phoebe Snow, Dion, and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.
