Gary Usher; Co-Writer of Beach Boys Hits
Gary Usher, a music producer who wrote songs with Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, has died of cancer. He was 51.
Usher, who died at his Los Angeles home May 25, produced, arranged and wrote for several groups including the Beach Boys, the Surfaris and the Hondells. With Wilson, he co-wrote the Beach Boys hits “409” and “In My Room,” and as late at 1988, he worked with Wilson on the comeback solo album “Brian Wilson.”
Usher wrote music for the beach-party films of the 1960s, and produced records for Capitol, Decca, Columbia and Elektra. In 1970, he was named vice president of contemporary music at RCA Records.
Survivors include his wife, Sue, three sons and a daughter.
The family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the T.J. Martell Foundation, 730 5th Ave., New York, N.Y. 10019.
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