Joseph Brooks
13 years 5 months ago #1
by riada
Nor but in sleep findeth a cure for care.
Incertainty that once gave scope to dream
Of laughing enterprise and glory untold,
Is now a blackness that no stars redeem.
Joseph Brooks was created by riada
Joseph Brooks (March 11, 1938 – May 22, 2011) was an American screenwriter, director, producer, and composer. He composed the mega-hit song "You Light Up My Life" for the film of the same name that he also wrote, directed, and produced.
In the 1960s, Brooks composed highly successful advertising jingles for clients including Pepsi ("You've Got a Lot to Live") and Maxwell House ("Good to the Last Drop Feeling"). He received numerous Clio Awards for his work, as well as a People's Choice Award.
In October 1977 "You Light Up My Life" reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts and held the top position for 10 consecutive weeks, then the longest #1 run in the chart's history. With sales of over four million copies in the U.S. alone, the song ultimately became the biggest hit of the 1970s. It also hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and was even a top 10 country single. The passionate ballad also earned Brooks a Grammy Award for Song of the Year, as well as an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe Award and an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Award. The song was Debby Boone's first solo hit record and only top 40 pop hit.
Brooks also composed music for the film The Lords of Flatbush and co-produced Eddie and the Cruisers.
Brooks' brother is Gilbert Kaplan, an amateur Mahler scholar who founded Institutional Investor magazine. Brooks and ex-wife Susan Paul had two children: Amanda was born in 1981 and Nicholas five years later. Nicholas, 24, a former student at the University of Colorado, was at the time of Brooks' death awaiting trial in New York City on the charge of murder.
In June 2009, Joseph Brooks was accused of sexual assault by four different women over incidents that occurred between March and May 2008. He allegedly lured the women to his apartment to audition for movie roles. Often, the women responded to a notice that Brooks had posted on Craigslist and flew to New York from across the United States at Brooks’ expense, the district attorney’s account said. He was indicted on June 23, 2009. He was being tried by Manhattan's state Supreme Court for 91 counts and charged with rape, sexual abuse, criminal sexual act, assault, and other charges.
The grand jury heard more evidence on December 17, 2009, because two new witnesses came forward. However, Brooks died before he could be tried.
Police reported on May 22, 2011, that Brooks was found dead from an apparent suicide. His body was discovered in his Upper East Side apartment by a friend. A plastic dry cleaning bag was around Brooks' head, and a towel was around his neck; a helium tank with an attached hose and a suicide note were found nearby.Police officials would not discuss the contents of the note. An official autopsy will be done on the body.
In the 1960s, Brooks composed highly successful advertising jingles for clients including Pepsi ("You've Got a Lot to Live") and Maxwell House ("Good to the Last Drop Feeling"). He received numerous Clio Awards for his work, as well as a People's Choice Award.
In October 1977 "You Light Up My Life" reached #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts and held the top position for 10 consecutive weeks, then the longest #1 run in the chart's history. With sales of over four million copies in the U.S. alone, the song ultimately became the biggest hit of the 1970s. It also hit #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart and was even a top 10 country single. The passionate ballad also earned Brooks a Grammy Award for Song of the Year, as well as an Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe Award and an American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Award. The song was Debby Boone's first solo hit record and only top 40 pop hit.
Brooks also composed music for the film The Lords of Flatbush and co-produced Eddie and the Cruisers.
Brooks' brother is Gilbert Kaplan, an amateur Mahler scholar who founded Institutional Investor magazine. Brooks and ex-wife Susan Paul had two children: Amanda was born in 1981 and Nicholas five years later. Nicholas, 24, a former student at the University of Colorado, was at the time of Brooks' death awaiting trial in New York City on the charge of murder.
In June 2009, Joseph Brooks was accused of sexual assault by four different women over incidents that occurred between March and May 2008. He allegedly lured the women to his apartment to audition for movie roles. Often, the women responded to a notice that Brooks had posted on Craigslist and flew to New York from across the United States at Brooks’ expense, the district attorney’s account said. He was indicted on June 23, 2009. He was being tried by Manhattan's state Supreme Court for 91 counts and charged with rape, sexual abuse, criminal sexual act, assault, and other charges.
The grand jury heard more evidence on December 17, 2009, because two new witnesses came forward. However, Brooks died before he could be tried.
Police reported on May 22, 2011, that Brooks was found dead from an apparent suicide. His body was discovered in his Upper East Side apartment by a friend. A plastic dry cleaning bag was around Brooks' head, and a towel was around his neck; a helium tank with an attached hose and a suicide note were found nearby.Police officials would not discuss the contents of the note. An official autopsy will be done on the body.
Nor but in sleep findeth a cure for care.
Incertainty that once gave scope to dream
Of laughing enterprise and glory untold,
Is now a blackness that no stars redeem.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.