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PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC ACQUIRES ACADEMY AWARD WINNING MUSICIAN AND SONGWRITER KEITH FORSEY’S WRITER’S SHARE
INCLUDED IN THE DEAL ARE FORSEY’S BIGGEST HITS SUCH AS “WHAT A FEELING,” “DON’T YOU (FORGET ABOUT ME),” “HOT STUFF,” “WHITE WEDDING,” AND MORE
“There is a select echelon of songs in popular music that are synonymous with the cinematic
moments they soundtrack, where they become eternally intertwined in the mind’s eye…and ear.
Case in point: Don’t You (Forget About Me).”
-Music Radar
New York, NY (July 8, 2024) – Primary Wave Music, the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world, announces today its acquisition of legendary songwriter and musician Keith Forsey’s writer’s and producer shares. Terms of the deal include Forsey’s writing and production on some of the biggest songs across music and film such as “What A Feeling,” “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” “Hot Stuff,” “White Wedding,” “Rebel Yell,” and more. Also included are songs he wrote for a number of films including Flashdance, The Breakfast Club,Ghostbusters, The NeverEnding Story, Beverly Hills Cop and others.
“Flashdance…What a Feeling” was co-written by Forsey in 1983 for the film Flashdance. Sung and co-written by Irene Cara, the track became an instant smash, spending six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and an incredible fourteen weeks in the Top 10 making it the longest running top 10 single of 1983. It would go on to sell more than a million copies and won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for “Best Original Song.” In 2023 the song was chosen by the Library of Congress for inclusion in the National Recording Registry. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” is also included in this exciting deal. Co-written by Forsey and Steve Schiff, the song was inspired by and featured in the 1985 cult classic film, The Breakfast Club. Upon release, the song shot to number one and ultimately became an anthem of the 80’s. Recorded by Simple Minds, the single became the band’s biggest hit and was critically acclaimed with American Songwriter declaring it an ‘80s masterpiece”. Forsey also had another number one with Donna Summer’s “Hot Stuff.” Released in 1975, the song won Summer a Grammy Award for “Best Female Rock Vocal Performance” and was later included on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”
“It gives me a good feeling to work with a company like Primary Wave, where I know they will respect and take care of the music that I had the good fortune to be able to create with many talented people throughout my career,” said Keith.
Primary Wave’s Robin Godfrey Cass added, “Keith Forsey’s career as a songwriter, producer, and musician is nothing less than iconic. We are honored and thrilled to be a part of this amazing body of work.”
Keith Forsey is a renowned musician, songwriter, and producer whose influence has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Born in London, England, Forsey’s journey into the world of music began at an early age. He displayed a natural aptitude for rhythm and melody, honing his skills on the drums and percussion instruments.
In the late 1960s, Forsey’s passion for music led him to pursue a career as a professional drummer. He quickly gained recognition for his exceptional talent. During this time, he collaborated with various artists and bands, one of them being The Spectrum which was founded by his brother Colin.
Forsey’s career took a significant turn when he relocated to Germany in the mid-1970s. There, he found himself immersed in the dynamic music culture of the era, working with some of the biggest names in the industry such as Giorgio Moroder and Harold Faltermeyer. His versatility as a musician allowed him to seamlessly transition between different genres, from rock and pop to disco and new wave. During this creative timeframe, he co-wrote the classic song “Hot Stuff” with Moroder and Faltermeyer for the award-winning Donna Summer, which went on to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
One of Forsey’s next significant songwriting contributions came in 1983 when he collaborated with Moroder on the soundtrack for the film “Flashdance.” The soundtrack featured the smash hit “What a Feeling”, co-written and performed by Irene Cara, earning Forsey both critical acclaim and commercial success. The song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, solidifying Forsey’s status as a prolific songwriter.
However, it was Forsey’s producing abilities that truly set him apart. Starting in the 1980s, he formed a fruitful partnership with Billy Idol and went on to produce Billy Idol’s next few albums. Those albums included such hits as “White Wedding”, “Rebel Yell”, and “Eyes Without a Face” catapulting Idol to international stardom and cemented Forsey’s reputation as a top-tier producer.
Forsey also ventured into film composing and produced songs and soundtracks for many movies. Most notable was “The Breakfast Club”, where the song “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds, co-written with Steve Schiff, went on to be a huge Number 1 single that has stood the test of time and is beloved by all.
Keith Forsey’s impact on music and popular culture cannot be overstated. His body of work continues to inspire artists and audiences alike, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in contemporary music history as both a songwriter and music producer.
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