David Ritz

David Ritz (born December 2, 1943 in New York City) is an American author who has written more than 50 books. In addition to his work as a co-author of autobiographies for a range of entertainers from Ray Charles to Don Rickles, he has written lyrics ("Sexual Healing"), novels (Search for Happiness), profiles ("Stevie Wonder: Never Ending Song of Peace" in Rolling Stone), critical essays ("Robin Thicke, You’re No Marvin Gaye" in Rolling Stone) and over a hundred liner notes for artists such as Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis, Jr., Sarah Vaughan and Nat King Cole.

Ritz’s first collaboration was Brother Ray (1978), the autobiography of Ray Charles. Ritz has said that his initial intention was to write a biography until becoming intrigued by the idea of rendering the book entirely in Charles’ voice. “That’s when I discovered I had a gift for channeling voice,” Ritz told the L.A. Times’ Patrick Goldstein in 2012. “That discovery changed the course of my literary life.” He would go on to continue ghostwriting for over 40 years, in various genres.

Ritz has also written a number of inspirational books. Messengers, a portrait of African American gospel singers and ministers, was published in 2006. Ritz collaborated with Dr. Mable John on three Christian novels: Sanctified (2006), Stay Out of the Kitchen (2007) and Love Tornado (2008).

Ritz’s fiction ranges from sports fantasies--The Man Who Brought the Dodgers Back To Brooklyn (1981)-- to jazz fantasies--Blue Notes Under a Green Felt Hat (1989) and "Barbells and Saxophones" (1989).

He collaborated with rapper T.I. on two novels— Power and Beauty (2011) and Trouble and Triumph (2012).

Ritz has also written a number of romances under pseudonyms: Glory (1979) as David Nemeroff; Deeper Than Shame(1980) as Esther Elizabeth Pearl; and In The Name of Love (1981) as Jessica Lansing.

The song "Sexual Healing" was a collaboration between Ritz, Marvin Gaye and Odell Brown, written in Ostend, Belgium, in April, 1982. The single was Marvin's biggest career hit, spending a record ten weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Soul Chart and going Platinum (for US sales over two million).

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