Wes Farrell; Songwriter and Record Producer

Wes Farrell, 56, songwriter and record producer whose career stretched from rock ‘n’ roll to religious music. A native of New York City who attended the University of Miami, Farrell started writing music in the late 1950s as rock ‘n’ roll grew. His hits included “Come a Little Bit Closer” and the Beatles’ “Boys.” Moving into publishing, he was the first to sign Neil Diamond, for such recordings as “Daddy Don’t Walk So Fast” and “Spanish Eyes.” Farrell also produced the music for the popular television series “The Partridge Family,” and wrote several of the songs used, including the theme song, “Come On Get Happy.” He operated the Wes Farrell Organization with offices in Los Angeles, New York and London and was chief executive officer of the Music Entertainment Group, which owned several publishing and record companies such as religious publisher Benson Music Group. Last Thursday in Coconut Grove, Fla., of cancer.