Rod Stewart has been left heartbroken as he paid tribute to his ‘true friend’ Richard Perry on Instagram on Wednesday after the music producer died aged 82.
Richard, who shared an 8-year romance with Jane Fonda and was behind Rod’s The Great American Songbook died of cardiac arrest, as confirmed by his friend Daphna Kastner to AP.
Rod revealed he and wife Penny Lancaster, 53, who he married in 2007, were in ‘tears’ over the sad news.
Writing a statement, Rod penned: ‘Dearest Richard, farewell, my dear buddy. They say in life a man is lucky if he can count his true friends on one hand, and you were certainly one of them.
‘Now I’ve lost you, and I’m devastated. We played and worked so closely together for so many years, creating some of the most memorable music together.’
He concluded: ‘You were there when Penny and I first started dating, encouraging our relationship. We are both in tears as I post this farewell.’
Rod Stewart has been left heartbroken as he paid tribute to his ‘true friend’ Richard Perry on Instagram on Wednesday after the music producer died aged 82
Richard, who shared an 8-year romance with Jane Fonda and was behind Rod’s The Great American Songbook died of cardiac arrest, as confirmed by his friend Daphna Kastner to AP; pictured with Joan in 2016
Several fans rushed to the comments to send the Maggie May singer their condolences.
‘He was a Prince of a man, as are you, dear Rod… my condolences to you and Penny. With love, Bebe; So terribly sorry. He was a special one indeed. Xx Bruce; So sorry for your loss.
‘So sorry for your loss. Prayers for Richard and his loved ones, including you and Penny; So sorry to read this rod thinking of u all and his family.
‘Richard Perry RIP to one of the greatest music producer s ever; So sorry for your loss sir rod’.
In a statement announcing the news, Kastner said ‘He maximized his time here,’ and described Richard as a ‘father friend’ and the godfather to her son.
‘He was generous, fun, sweet, and made the world a better place. The world is a little less sweeter without him here. But it’s a little bit sweeter in heaven.’
Ben McCarthy, Richard’s personal assistant for nearly 30 years, shared with TMZ that the producer had battled Parkinson’s disease.
McCarthy recounted visiting Richard about a month ago, noting that while Richard could no longer verbally communicate, he remained in good spirits.
During the 1970s, Richard worked with an array of legendary artists, including Carly Simon, Barbra Streisand, Art Garfunkel, Diana Ross, and Ringo Starr, cementing his legacy as one of the most sought-after producers of his time.
Rod revealed he and wife Penny Lancaster , 53, who he married in 2007, said the couple were in ‘tears’ over the sad news
Writing a statement, Rod penned: ‘Dearest Richard, farewell, my dear buddy. They say in life a man is lucky if he can count his true friends on one hand, and you were certainly one of them’
Sir Rod pictured with Richard in 2002; L-R Diane Warren, Rod Stewart, Clive Davis, Richard Perry
Several fans rushed to the comments to send the Maggie May singer their condolences
Widely regarded as a musician’s producer, Richard collaborated with artists like Harry Nilsson on Without You, The Pointer Sisters on I’m So Excited, and Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias on To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.
He was known for helping Barbra Streisand modernize her sound, reviving careers like Fats Domino’s, and elevating rising stars like Leo Sayer.
A New York native born to musical parents who co-founded Peripole Music, Richard was a skilled drummer and oboist.
Early in his career, he joined the doo-wop group Escorts and later studied music and theater at the University of Michigan before shifting to production.
Teaming up with Gary Katz, who later worked with Steely Dan, Richard began producing in the 1960s and quickly rose to prominence with projects like Captain Beefheart’s Safe As Milk and Ella Fitzgerald’s Ella, which featured covers of songs by the Beatles and Smokey Robinson.
By the 1970s, Richard had established his legacy with million-selling albums such as Barbra Streisand’s Stoney End, guiding her transition into contemporary pop and rock.
Streisand recalled their collaboration as creative and musically liberating, noting his enthusiasm and vision.
Beyond music, Richard’s life was filled with connections to cultural milestones and iconic figures.
He dated Elizabeth Taylor and Fonda, attended landmark events like Otis Redding’s Monterey Pop Festival performance, and mingled with music legends like Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger.
Rod Stewart described Richard’s West Hollywood home as a hub for late-night revelry.
Although Richard initially dreamed of a Broadway career, his decision to focus on production transformed him into an industry giant whose influence spanned decades and genres.