Aged 22, and after changing his name to Kenny Young, he started working as a songwriter for Bobby Darin's TM Music at the Brill Building.
11 Facts About Kenny Young
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Kenny Young began writing with Artie Resnick, and the pair wrote "Under the Boardwalk", recorded by The Drifters in 1964 and later by The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, John Mellencamp, Billy Joe Royal, Bruce Willis, Tom Tom Club, Lynn Anderson and many other artists.
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Kenny Young recorded as a singer in the 1960s, releasing several singles under his own name, and as The Squirrels, San Francisco Earthquakes, and more.
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Kenny Young wrote hits in the US for Mark Lindsay, including "Arizona" and "Silver Bird".
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Kenny Young recorded as a singer-songwriter and released two solo albums in a similar style to James Taylor, Clever Dogs Chase The Sun and Last Stage For Silver World, but with limited success.
6.
In Britain, Kenny Young formed two bands, Fox and Yellow Dog with whom he played, wrote and produced their top ten hits.
7.
Kenny Young recorded the song "Spirit of the Forest" which was supported by musicians including Chris Rea, Donna Summer, Joni Mitchell, Ringo Starr, Debbie Harry, Gilberto Gil, and members of Pink Floyd and Fleetwood Mac.
8.
Kenny Young received the United Nations Global 500 Award for outstanding practical achievements in the protection and improvement of the environment for his work as co-founder and trustee of the Earth Love Fund, which supported and initiated over 200 community based projects in Brazil, Africa, Asia and Australia.
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Kenny Young co-produced the Hollywood Genesis Award-winning film Spirit of the Forest, a BBC TV documentary about the destruction of the Amazon rainforest.
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Kenny Young produced the series of albums Rhythms del Mundo with musicians from Buena Vista Social Club and featured Coldplay, Radiohead, U2, Arctic Monkeys, Sting, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, Dido, Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo and other top international artists.
11.
Kenny Young died on his 79th birthday in 2020, in Banbury, England, after suffering from cancer for several years.