Henry was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 8^th 1949 to the late Mary (Gross) and Henry E. Gaffney. In 1971, he started visiting the Northwest corner of Connecticut that he loved so much. Sharon became his home in 2002.

Henry had a career in music that spanned almost four decades.  He was a professional recording artist in his early career with two witty and romantic albums (“Waiting for a Wind” and “On Again Off Again”). In a review of “On Again Off Again,” Rolling Stone magazine said “Henry Gaffney’s pop songs are often touched with brilliance.”  He then became a songwriter for many artists. Included among them are Roberta Flack, The Pointer Sisters, The Four Tops, Judy Collins, Jennifer Warnes, and Glenn Campbell, as well as for the Emmy award winning television series Fame, receiving gold and platinum records for his work.  He also composed, arranged, and produced the original score to Sidewalk Stories, the 1988 winner of the Prix du Public award at the Cannes Film Festival.

He joined the Songwriting Department’s faculty at the Berklee College of Music in the early 1990s, beginning a deeply fulfilling period as a professor. He later brought the same enthusiasm for teaching to the Tisch School of the Arts at N.Y.U., where he played an instrumental role in the development of The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music’s Songwriting wing. His door was open to all and he was deeply loved and admired by his students and colleagues alike. He was a brilliant man who was regarded by all for his voracious intellect and open mind. Despite his deep-felt understanding of his subject, his gift was to encourage and inspire his students to find their own voice.

Henry is survived by his wife, Lisa, and sons, Julian and Devin, as well as sisters Mary Stonitsch and Cathy Gaffney, and brother Ed Gaffney. His brother Chris died in 1995. He was beloved by all who had the pleasure to meet him and he will be greatly missed.

Henry loved the peace and beauty of Sharon and a memorial will be held there in the summer.

His family has been deeply touched by the fond memories posted on his Facebook wall. Henry would be moved to know how many lives he impacted.

In lieu of flowers, please send tax-deductible contributions to The Sharon Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 357 Sharon, CT 06069.

We’re deeply saddened by the news that our beloved Adjunct Associate Professor Henry Gaffney passed away yesterday (May 23rd).

Henry began his career in music as a solo recording artist, releasing albums on both RCA  (“Waiting For A Wind”), and United Artists Records (“On Again Off Again”).  He was a staff writer for Koppleman / Bandier (EMI) for 9 years. His songs have been recorded by artist from all over the world, including: Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, The Four Tops, Jennifer Warnes, Tanya Tucker, Stephanie Mills, Glen Campbell, The Pointer Sisters, Nana Mouskouri, Chris Thompson, Peaches & Herb, Faye Wong and Camillo Sesto among dozens of others. He wrote numerous songs for the Emmy winning Television series “Fame”, in addition to other TV features and in 1987 composed, arranged and produced the original score to “Sidewalk Stories, winner of the Prix Du Public at the Cannes Film Festival.

Henry taught our required freshman core Songwriting course – “Writing the Hit Song” – for many years consecutively. With his trademark mix of folksy charm and razor-sharp intellect, Henry played an instrumental role on The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music’s faculty, bringing plenty of enthusiasm and vibrant ideas to the table. Above and beyond all else, we’ll remember Henry as a warm and generous human being.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Henry’s family and friends and we are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

We like this video of Mick Rock talking about Punk Drunk Love, an amazing DVD collection of images and scenes from Glam Rock.

We’re happy to have Mick teaching a Photography Masterclass with us at The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music this summer. More info is here.

HOW TO REGISTER

It’s so EASY!

ENROLL NOW IN A SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call (212) 992-8400 for more information.

ENROLL NOW IN A SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call (212) 992-8400 for more information.

ENROLL NOW IN THIS SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call (212) 992-8400 for more information.

Click on the video below to check out on our crazy awesome summer music masterclass series.

ENROLL NOW IN A SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call (212) 992-8400 for more information.

“MAKING IT IN THE MUSIC BIZ WITH KEVIN LILES”

Entrepreneur and philanthropist and KEVIN LILES – the storied former Executive Vice President of The Island Def Jam Music Group and The Warner Music Group – will offer a three-week masterclass entitled “Making It in the Music Biz.” He’ll teach the course alongside Recorded Music Chair Jeff Rabhan, the multiplatinum music manager for artists like Kelly Rowland, Kelly Clarkson and Jermaine Dupri. Liles will draw from lessons relayed in his popular how-to book Make It Happen: The Hip-Hop Generation Guide to Success, giving students the inside track on how to turn their music business fantasies into reality and providing hands-on workshopping of student music demos and business plans.

The Clive Davis Department also offers an official INTERNSHIP CLASS during the summer – one smart way to get in the door at major record labels and recording studios among other potential places of employment.

“MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS WITH MICK ROCK”

The visual genius behind the landmark iconic images of Bowie, Queen, T-Rex and Lady Gaga among others, MICK ROCK will join NYU’s faculty to offer sage advice in this summer’s “Music Photography Masterclass.” Teaming up with former Geffen Records creative director Joe Mama-Nitzberg, Rock will reveal his unique artistic process and will work directly with students to help shape their photographic vision. Students who enroll in the class will get the added benefit of studying music fashion history and they’ll also get the extraordinary opportunity to observe on a Mick Rock photography session as well.

“DJ-ING, PRODUCTION, MIXING AND REMIXING MASTERCLASSES”

NYC music maven DJ REKHA, one of the key figures behind the South Asian dance music scene, will team up with 2009 DMC World DJ Champion DJ SHIFTEE. Together they’ll offer “DJ History, Culture and Technique,” a masterclass that provides DJ history, entrepreneurial training and technique for aspiring turntable fiends, regardless of skill level. The course is taught both at New York University and at state of the art DUBSPOT DJ facilities just blocks away.

Journeyman remixer/producer MOCEAN WORKER will offer “The Art and Business of the Remix” for those interested in the finer points of cutting and mixing. Abd Grammy-award winning studio wizards KEVIN KILLEN (U2, Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello), and BOB POWER (D’Angelo, Common, Erykah Badu) will be on hand to offer masterclasses in mixing and production, respectively.

HOW TO REGISTER

It’s so EASY!

ENROLL NOW IN A SUMMER COURSE BY CLICKING HERE

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE OF OUR SUMMER COURSES: CLICK HERE

Classes for the first summer session begin May 17, 2010 and spots are already filling up quickly. Act now.

You can also call 212.992.8400 for more information.

See ‘ya in class.

As part of our Pop Speaks discussion series here at The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, we’re happy to be hosting a guest lecture for students with multiple Grammy-winning rock producer Steve Lillywhite.

Steve began his illustrious career producing records for Ultravox, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Peter Gabriel, before helming legendary sessions for U2, The Psychedelic Furs, Simple Minds, XTC, Morrissey, Dave Matthews, Phish, Chris Cornell, The Rolling Stones, Matchbox Twenty and many others. Beyond his career in the studio, Lillywhite has been an influential music executive, signing and producing at Universal Records and Columbia Records. In 2006 he received Grammy awards for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, Best Rock Album and Album of the Year for his contribution to U2’s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

Steve is a great example of what we try to train our students to become: he’s an innovative and creative producer who also happens to have a solid background in the music business itself.

Welcome Steve!

Stay tuned to find out info about our upcoming summer masterclasses, and other good things that we’re up to.

The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University is proud to be hosting a special discussion event with Grammy-winning Columbia Records artist, producer, songwriter and entrepreneur Raphael Saadiq
as the final event in our Motown U record label series.

Oakland’s Raphael Saadiq emerged in the 1980s as the front man for platinum selling r&b group Tony! Toni! Tone! before becoming one of the chief architects of today’s modern soul. He’s written and produced some of the seminal records of the last 20 years for artists like D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Q-Tip, Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray, TLC, the Roots, Joi, Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone, Bilal, Ginuwine, Kelis and many others.

A record label founder (and more recently a video game entrepreneur), Saadiq also fronted Grammy-nominated supergroup Lucy Pearl in the early 2000s, and his solo albums have included Instant Vintage, which earned five Grammy nominations in 2003, and 2004’s Ray-Ray.

His 2008 three-time Grammy nominated Motown-inspired album The Way I See It, featuring Stevie Wonder, Joss Stone and Jay-Z, is his most successful project to date. Entertainment Weekly’s A-grade review of The Way I See It says: ‘Backed by a 
 galvanizing ensemble of musicians that would make the Funk Brothers proud, Saadiq belts out effervescent love songs with infectious vigor.’

In this rare onstage conversation, Saadiq talks about his rich array of musical influences, his musicianship and his unique approach to producing and writing records that matter.

This is a FREE event but RSVP is required. Seats are limited, first-come first-served. No one will be admitted without a reservation. Because of the limited number of seats, there are no plus ones for this event; only unique RSVPs will be honored.
Unclaimed RSVPs will be reclaimed fifteen minutes prior to the start of the event. Please arrive early.

MAKING AN RSVP DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION. State or University issued i.d. is required for admittance.

CLICK HERE to MAKE AN RSVP.

There is no filming or photography of any sort allowed in the venue; failure to comply may mean removal from the venue.

Motown U Series curated by Clive Davis Department Artistic Director Jason King