Bert Berns, born Bertrand Russell Berns on November 8, 1929, in the Bronx, New York City, was a seminal American songwriter and record producer during the 1960s. Known also as Bert Russell, Berns was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants who had changed their surname from Beresovsky. His early life was marked by a battle with rheumatic fever, which damaged his heart and influenced his life's trajectory, leading to his untimely death at the age of 38 on December 30, 1967.

Berns's passion for music was evident as he immersed himself in the vibrant sounds of his African American and Latino neighbors, and he was particularly drawn to the mambo rhythms he encountered in Havana before the Cuban Revolution. His music career began in earnest in 1960 when he secured a position as a songwriter at Robert Mellin Music, earning $50 a week. His first major success came with "A Little Bit of Soap" by the Jarmels in 1961.

Berns quickly rose from a Brill Building songwriter to a prominent figure in the music industry, producing hits like "Twist and Shout" for the Isley Brothers and "Cry to Me" for Solomon Burke. His work with Burke brought him to the attention of Atlantic Records, where he became a staff producer in 1963, succeeding the legendary duo Leiber and Stoller. At Atlantic, Berns crafted iconic tracks such as "Under the Boardwalk" by The Drifters and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" by Solomon Burke.

The British Invasion further amplified Berns's influence, with bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones recording his songs. He was the first American producer to work in England, producing for Decca Records and collaborating with bands like Them, for whom he produced the hit "Here Comes the Night."

In 1965, Berns founded Bang Records with Atlantic executives, achieving success with "Hang On Sloopy" by the McCoys and launching the careers of artists like Neil Diamond and Van Morrison. He also established Shout Records, producing rhythm and blues hits such as "Are You Lonely For Me Baby" by Freddie Scott.

Bert Berns's legacy is enshrined in the enduring popularity of his music, which continues to influence artists and resonate with audiences worldwide. His contributions to the golden age of rhythm and blues remain a testament to his creative genius and visionary approach to music production.