Touch Me in the Morning by Michael Masser

This day in 1973, singer icon Diana Ross hit the top of the charts with the song "Touch Me in the Morning," one of her longest charting recordings (her second solo #1 after her time with The Supremes).  I was in college at the time, and I remember how powerfully her song captured the American audience.  Ross had also just received great reviews for her acting debut in Lady Sings the Blues.  That new song, "Touch Me in the Morning," was also a launching vehicle for a new young composer, Michael Masser, who later contributed on many other great songs including "The Greatest Love of All" (Whitney Houston), "Didn't We Almost Have It All," "Saving All My Love for You," "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" (Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson), "If Ever Your in My Arms Again," "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To)," and many more.  So many great songs that resonated through our lives!  My one little individual side note: a few years later, I performed for Michael Masser.  In fact, he hired my dance orchestra to supply musical entertainment for his son's wedding reception.  I remember how The Gus Pappelis Orchestra performed admirably that day, but I also remember how much in awe I was of this composer, Masser, who had written so many of the songs we loved playing for our guests. Yes, Diana Ross sang it beautifully, but Michael Masser put the notes together for her to sing.  I'll have to add those titles to my Portland City Grill playlist this Friday.