Richard Stanley Becker, 91 of Red Bank passed away peacefully Friday, November 28th.

Richie is an American music publisher who gave rise to major innovations within the recording industry, most notably with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Richie’s work and collaborations have received wide recognition, ranging from Tony Awards and nominations for his show, to inclusion in the collections of some of the world’s most prestigious libraries, and even the dedication of a park bench in New York City’s Gramercy Park.  Richie is also well known for his promotion work and his ability to launch new talent, so much so that he has often been referred to as a “star maker.” Throughout his career, Richie has encouraged musical development in young people, as shown in his 1976 establishment of the Richard S. Becker Scholarship at the Juilliard School of Music.

Richie’s earliest major work was with Pat Boone on the #1 hit “Moody River”.  His work with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones  not only brought forward the Muscle Shoals Sound for the first time, but also produced the first crossover hit from R&B to pop.

Among his other collaborations, Becker worked with a team to adapt gospel music to Broadway.  This team initially worked on a production commissioned by the Italian government entitled “Black Nativity”. The show, based on the play by Langston Hughes, proved such a success that two years later, the group was asked to do another production. The result was Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.

The Tony Award winning production of Your Arms Too Short to Box with God became the first show fully funded in its production by the Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C.. President Jimmy Carter chose Your Arms as the first show presented by his administration Your Arms went on to enjoy a lengthy run at Broadway’s  Lyceum Theater.

Richie has worked with many genres over the course of his career. For example, he was responsible for bringing the first country music show to New York City’s Madison Square Garden  in 1964.

Many of Richie’s works have been included in many collections. Richie has worked with a wide range of people.

Graveside service will be Tuesday, December 9th at 11:00 am at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. Iselin.  For messages of condolence, please visit Richie’s page of tributes at www.woolleyboglioli.com.