Derrick Martin "Del" Newman (5 October 1930 – 10 August 2020)[1] was a British conductor, orchestral arranger and music producer. His orchestral arrangements appeared on songs by many rock and pop artists from the 1960s to the 1990s, including Cat Stevens, Elton John, Carly Simon and Rod Stewart. His work also encompassed Hollywood film scores and West End musicals.[2]
Newman was born Derrick Martin Morrow in London. His father was a doctor of West African descent, and his mother was an Irish nurse.[1] He was adopted by the Newman family when he was a few months old. At the age of seven, he began learning to play the cello and the piano.[3]
Among his projects as a record producer, Newman produced Scott Walker's 1973 album Stretch, which included his composition "Someone Who Cared".[8] He also produced Asha Puthli's debut, self-titled solo album in 1973.
In 1980, Newman wrote the orchestration to and conducted the Italian entry in that year's Eurovision Song Contest, "Non So Che Darei", performed and written by Alan Sorrenti. The song finished in 7th place.
In the 2000s, Newman withdrew from recording to focus on teaching. His autobiography, A Touch from God: It's Only Rock & Roll, was published in 2010. In October 2015, he received a Gold Badge Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors for his contribution to music in the United Kingdom.[2] He died at the age of 89 on 10 August 2020 in Carmarthen, Wales.[1]
^Madinger, Chip; Easter, Mark (2000). Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium. Chesterfield, MO: 44.1 Productions. p. 179. ISBN0-615-11724-4.
