Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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HARTMAN, Dan

(b Harrisburg PA; d 22 March '94, Westport CT aged 43 of brain tumour) USA producer/performer. Joined Edgar Winter Group as bassist '72; played on hit LP They Only Come Out At Night '73 and successors, donning integral bass/jump suit for stage act's futuristic image. Sessioned with Edgar's brother Johnny, his guitarist Rick Derringer, Todd Rundgren (Initiation '75). Wrote Edgar's no. 14 hit "Free Ride' '73. Went solo '76; in family spirit, Edgar contributed horns and Derringer guitar to Images '76, released on manager Steve Paul's Blue Sky label. Did well in disco boom with infectious "Instant Replay' (USA no. 29/UK no. 8 '78), LP of same name; "This Is It' was UK no. 17 '79; LP Relight My Fire came out as disco fad spluttered. Retired to concentrate on prod. at Connecticut studio the Schoolhouse: output ranged from raw Southern rock of .38 Special (LPs .38 Special, Special Delivery '77-8), his own It Hurts To Be In Love '79, Average White Band's Cupid's In Fashion '82, to Neil Sedaka's Come See About Me '84. Hartman doubled on guitar and keyboards, often adding these as well as backing vocals to LPs he produced. Contributed "I Can Dream About You' to film Streets Of Fire (USA no. 6 '84, UK hit '85); had ditched disco for smooth white soul sound not unlike that of Hall & Oates, showing off enviable high-register voice. USA follow-up "We Are The Young' no. 25 late '84; prod. James Brown comeback hit "Living In America' '86.