BARNUM, H. B.
(b '36, Houston TX) Producer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist. Moved to LA age four, attended UCLA, studied law. Sang with the Robins (later became the Coasters) while in high school; later said that the first record he produced was their 'Riot On Cell Block No. 9' (credited to Leiber and Stoller). Own initial success 'Pink Shoe Laces', '59 US no. 3 single by Dodie Stevens. Then to Motown, worked with Miracles ('Shop Around'), Supremes, Marvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas, etc. About to produce RCA session for Jesse Belvin, heard of Belvin's death and did it himself: album The Big Voice Of Barnum (his only top 40 hit was instrumental 'Lost Love' '61), Everybody Loves H. B. '62. Arranger for Lou Rawls '66--8; success with Osmonds, Jacksons, Johnny Bristol, Temptations, Junior Walker, Gladys Knight, Chairmen of the Board, Nancy Wilson, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Sammy Davis Jr. Claimed to be responsible for around 100 gold LPs and 160 gold singles, and still at it.

When H.B. Barnum formed the Dootones in Los Angeles, CA in 1954 he was a seasoned pro. Four years earlier, at the age of 12, he recorded as Pee Wee Barnum for Imperial Records, and was a self-taught piano prodigy who had appeared in concerts all over L.A. is primarily a producer and arranger with an enormous number of credits dating back to the 1950s and including everyone from the Miracles to Frank Sinatra. As an artist, he debuted with the album The Big Voice of Barnum in 1960. His instrumental "Lost Love" was a Top 40 hit in 1961.