Michael Masser, Composer who wrote and produced of some of Whitney Houston’s biggest hits, has died on July 9, following a long illness, at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 74.
Masser born in Chicago in 1941, to a Jewish family. He graduated University of Illinois College of Law, but became a stockbroker. Only later he pursue his interest in music.
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His first hit co-written with Ron Miller, came in 1973 with Diana Ross’ “Touch Me in the Morning.” Masser began collaborating with Houston in the early 1980s, writing and producing such hits as “Greatest Love of All”, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”, “Saving All My Love for You” and “All At Once”.
Masser earned an Oscar nomination for his next hit with Ross, “Theme from ‘Mahogany’ (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?).”
His other hits included 1983’s “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, ” performed by Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson, and Natalie Cole’s 1989 track “Miss You Like Crazy.” He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2007.
Masser is survived by his wife, Ogniana, two daughters, a son, two grandsons and a sister.