Harriet Schock Biography

Harriet Schock is an American singer, songwriter, teacher, author, and actress. She made three albums for a major label in the 70s, scoring gold and platinum awards for her Grammy-nominated Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady, before moving into teaching and soundtrack work, and then resuming an ongoing recording career in the 90s.

Biography

Childhood

Schock, whose father was a dermatologist, grew up in Texas as one of two sisters, and was encouraged to play piano from an early age. Her natural ability to play by ear quickly became apparent.

Songwriting and recording

After a brief spell working in advertising, Schock became a staff writer for Colgems-EMI, and, in a deal that fell through, almost became a Columbia Records recording artist. Shortly thereafter, she signed with 20th Century Records, and her recording career began in earnest, with a series of three albums, Hollywood Town, She's Low Clouds (both 1974), and You Don't Know What You're In For (1976), all notable for their pithy lyrical approach, and musical incisiveness. On the strength of these recordings, Schock was twice awarded Cashbox's Best New Female Artist.

During this period, Helen Reddy scored a #8 Billboard Hot 100 with Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady. Schock's original version had appeared on her debut album, Hollywood Town. Reddy recorded further Schock-written songs, while many other artists began to interpret Schock's work, including Roberta Flack, Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson, Syreeta, Nancy Wilson, Manfred Mann, Vicki Carr, and Jeannie Kendall.

In addition to "Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady", another widely recorded Harriet Schock song is "First Time On A Ferris Wheel", co-written with Misha Segal. Among the most celebrated versions is Carl Anderson's, which appeared on his eponymous 1986 album for Epic Records. The song was composed during the period in the 80s when Schock worked for Berry Gordy, writing songs for Jobete.

Schock then resumed her own recording career with two albums produced by Nik Venet - American Romance (1995) and Rosebud (1999). In 2010, she released her seventh album, Breakdown on Memory Lane.

Having taught songwriting at the University of Southern California from 1986 to 1988, she moved into private tuition, and - in the late 90s - her songwriting manual, Becoming Remarkable, was published by Blue Dolphin.

Film and television music

Schock has written songs for film and television since the 1970s. Among the films are Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection, The Last Dragon and The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking. Television shows include The Partridge Family, The Benny Hill Show and the Jane Seymour TV movie Matters of the Heart.

Schock wrote the theme song for the PBS series Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks, and then provided music for the Henry Jaglom films Going Shopping, Hollywood Dreams (2006), and Irene in Time (2009).

Acting

Harriet appeared with her band in Henry Jaglom's Irene in Time (2009).

In 2009 and 2010, Schock took a role in the Henry Jaglom play Just 45 Minutes From Broadway.

Discography

Albums

• Hollywood Town (20th Century, T-437, 1974)

Produced by Roger Gordon

• She's Low Clouds (20th Century, T-460, 1974)

Produced by Roger Gordon

• You Don't Know What You're In For (20th Century, T-499, 1976)

Produced by Gene Page and Billy Page. Arranged by Gene Page.

• American Romance (Future Schock, FSD-19201-2, 1992)

Produced by Nik Venet

• Rosebud (Evening Star, E*SRNKV 2002, 1997)

Produced by Nik Venet

• Live - from Fairfax to Pasadena (Thunder Digital, TDD-10107-2, 2001)

Produced by Phil Appelbaum

• Breakdown On Memory Lane (Future Schock, 2010)

Produced by Travis Allen

Bibliography

Becoming Remarkable: For Songwriters and Those Who Love Songs, Blue Dolphin 1999 ISBN 978-1-57733-034-9