Herb Alpert, an accomplished trumpeter, bandleader, and occasional singer, has established himself as a true musical legend. With an estimated 72 million albums sold, he has also made a name for himself as a music mogul through his label, A&M. Notable artists such as the Carpenters, Carole King, and Sting have been signed by Alpert. Remarkably, at the age of 88, he continues to release new music, and his latest album, “Wish Upon a Star,” is set to be released on September 15th. Feel free to ask him questions about his new album or any other aspect of his magnificent career by posting them in the comments below.
Born to highly musical Jewish immigrant parents in Los Angeles, Alpert’s passion for music was evident from a young age. He began playing the trumpet at the age of eight and later joined USC’s marching band. During the Korean war, he served in a US army band. Alpert then ventured into songwriting and achieved early success with Sam Cooke’s hit, “Wonderful World.” This marked the beginning of his remarkable dual career: establishing A&M in 1962 and simultaneously creating his own distinctive music.
Alpert’s inspiration for his unique sound came from witnessing bullfighting in Tijuana, Mexico. He developed a highly popular take on mariachi music, skillfully playing melodic trumpet themes with his band, Tijuana Brass. The band’s 1965 album, “Whipped Cream and Other Delights,” which featured a captivating image of a cream-covered model named Dolores Erickson on its cover, became one of the most iconic record covers of all time. This album was the first of seven that Tijuana Brass had in the top five of the US charts within three years. Remarkably, Alpert achieved a feat in April 1966 that was only matched by Taylor Swift earlier this year when he had four albums in the top 10 simultaneously. In 1968, Alpert topped the singles chart with the Bacharach and David song, “This Guy’s in Love With You.”
During a creative crisis in the late 60s, Alpert ventured into more adventurous jazz territory and collaborated with Hugh Masekela. Later, he delved into disco with his 1979 album, “Rise,” which included the title track that reached No. 1 on the charts. This made Alpert the only artist to top the US chart with both an instrumental and a vocal song. Meanwhile, A&M became one of the most successful independent record labels in America. They signed notable British artists like Cat Stevens and Joe Cocker, as well as a diverse range of American acts, including Quincy Jones, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Liza Minnelli, and Wes Montgomery. Additionally, A&M launched the careers of Janet Jackson, Bryan Adams, Suzanne Vega, and many others before Alpert and co-founder Jerry Moss sold the label to Polygram for a staggering $700 million deal.
Alpert’s wealth allowed him to invest in philanthropic ventures, particularly in music education. Aside from taking a break in the 2000s, he has continued to record and release his own music. His upcoming album, “Wish Upon a Star,” will feature his unique interpretations of classic songs by Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and more.
With a life and career that has intertwined with numerous musical greats, Alpert surely has a wealth of captivating stories and insights to share. Don’t miss the chance to post your questions in the comments section by 5pm BST on Tuesday, September 5th. His answers will be published later in the week, providing a fascinating glimpse into the mind of this musical legend.
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