22 Facts About Phil Gernhard

Phillip Arnold Gernhard was an American record producer, record label executive, and songwriter.

Phil Gernhard is best known for his successful collaborations in the 1960s and 1970s with Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, The Royal Guardsmen, Dion, Lobo, Jim Stafford, and the Bellamy Brothers.

In 1960, Phil Gernhard produced a demo of Williams' song "Stay", recorded at the studio of local Columbia radio station WCOS.

Phil Gernhard soon re-engaged with the music scene, and produced records by local group the Sugar Beats, whose rhythm guitarist was Kent Lavoie, as well as other local bands, the Tropics and the Outsiders.

Phil Gernhard partly rewrote the lyrics to incorporate mentions of Snoopy, and persuaded another local band, the Royal Guardsmen, to record it, becoming their manager as well as record producer.

Phil Gernhard produced the band's album, entitled Snoopy vs The Red Baron, and their later records, including the 1967 hit "Snoopy's Christmas".

Phil Gernhard abandoned his law studies and set up Phil Gernhard Enterprises.

Phil Gernhard continued to produce records with the Royal Guardsmen, and promoted shows in the Tampa area, on one occasion bailing Janis Joplin out of jail after she was arrested for shouting obscenities.

Phil Gernhard offered the song to Laurie Records, where it was recorded by Dion, then just emerging from a spell in rehab.

The song became a hit, reaching number 4 on the Hot 100, and Phil Gernhard produced Dion's self-titled album that followed, as well as the singer's subsequent albums, Sit Down Old Friend, You're Not Alone, and Sanctuary.

Phil Gernhard became an executive with Big Tree Records set up by Doug Morris.

The record became an international hit, reaching number 5 on the US pop chart, and Phil Gernhard continued to work with Lobo throughout the 1970s.

Phil Gernhard produced the 1972 hit single "I'd Love You to Want Me", and five Lobo albums on the Big Tree label: Introducing Lobo, Of a Simple Man, Calumet, Just a Singer, and A Cowboy Afraid of Horses, all of which reached the Billboard 200 album chart.

Less successfully, Phil Gernhard tried to find success for the Nashville country rock band Duckbutter, and Barry Winslow, the former lead singer of the Royal Guardsmen.

Phil Gernhard established a connection with Mike Curb, the head of MGM Records, and persuaded him to release Stafford's records.

Phil Gernhard began working more in Los Angeles, and formed a business partnership with actor and producer Tony Scotti, aiming to establish Stafford as a variety show host.

Lobo's relationship with Phil Gernhard soured when the singer attempted to gain some of the publishing rights for his songs, which Phil Gernhard controlled.

Phil Gernhard gave up record production, but continued to work with Mike Curb in an executive capacity.

Phil Gernhard developed and promoted country singer Tim McGraw, and later Jo Dee Messina and Rodney Atkins.

Phil Gernhard had told friends that he was suffering from cancer, but an autopsy found no trace.

Phil Gernhard was married and divorced four times, and had experienced alcoholism and drug misuse.

Phil Gernhard left his estate to a former childhood sweetheart, with whom he had been out of touch for many years.