You know, there are some musical artists who, just like a great story, truly stick with you, and that's certainly the case for Bertie Higgins. He's the kind of person whose name might bring a particular song to mind, a tune that, well, just about everyone knows. We're talking about "Key Largo," a piece of music that, in a way, really captured hearts back in the early eighties and still gets played quite a bit, even now. It’s a song that, for many, brings back a certain feeling, a moment in time, you know?
This isn't just about one song, though, not really. Bertie Higgins, as a matter of fact, has quite a bit more to his story than just that one big hit. He's a person who has spent a good portion of his life creating, whether it's through singing, writing songs, or even making films. It's pretty interesting, actually, how his path has wound through different forms of artistic expression, showing a real knack for telling stories, almost as if he was always meant to do just that.
So, we're going to take a look at the journey of Bertie Higgins, the person behind those familiar melodies. We'll explore where he comes from, how he got his start, and what he’s been up to since those early days of fame. It’s a chance to, you know, get a bit more familiar with a performer who has, in some respects, left a pretty lasting mark on the music scene and beyond.
Table of Contents
- Bertie Higgins - A Life of Melody and Story
- Who is Bertie Higgins - The Man Behind the Music?
- Bertie Higgins - Personal Details
- The Hit That Changed Everything - Key Largo and Bertie Higgins
- Beyond the Airwaves - Bertie Higgins in Film and Production
- What About Bertie Higgins Today?
- What Shaped the Artistry of Bertie Higgins?
- Where Can You Find More From Bertie Higgins?
Bertie Higgins - A Life of Melody and Story
Bertie Higgins, whose birth name is Elbert Joseph Higgins, has, you know, a pretty interesting background. He was born and grew up in a place called Tarpon Springs, Florida. This spot is, in a way, known for its Greek community, which is quite picturesque, actually. His family roots are, well, a mix of Portuguese, Irish, and German heritage, which, you know, sort of adds to the whole picture of who he is.
It turns out that Bertie Higgins comes from a line of storytellers, literally. He is, in fact, a great, great grandson of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German poet who, you know, wrote "Faust." This connection might, in some respects, explain his own natural leaning towards crafting stories, not just with words, but with music and film too. He's been described as an "intellectual romantic," someone who, you know, likes to paint story songs about living and loving in a warm, tropical spot.
Even as a young person, still in his teen years, Bertie Higgins found himself in the company of some pretty big names. He met and, you know, became a sort of student to actor and director Richard Boone, and also Boone's friend, Burt Reynolds. These two saw something special in Bertie's ability to write, and so, you know, they taught him a lot about how to write for the screen. It's quite something, really, to have such mentors early on.
But, as it often happens, his plans for writing for films had to wait a bit. Bertie Higgins, as a matter of fact, turned his creative energy towards music instead. This shift, you know, eventually led him to become a recording artist, a path that would, very soon, bring him quite a bit of attention.
Who is Bertie Higgins - The Man Behind the Music?
So, who exactly is Bertie Higgins? Well, he's a person who wears several hats, so to speak. He's known as a singer, someone who writes songs, a producer of films, and even an actor. It's, you know, quite a range of creative pursuits for one person, showing a real dedication to different forms of artistic work.
He's the artist who, you know, brought us the very popular song "Key Largo." That particular piece of music became a number one hit single back in 1981, which, for a recording artist, is a pretty big deal. It really put Bertie Higgins on the map for many people, especially those who were listening to the radio at that time.
Beyond his musical work, Bertie Higgins has also spent time in front of the camera. He's appeared in a number of films and television shows, showing that his talents weren't just for sounds and words. He also, in fact, set up a production company with his son, Julian Higgins, which, you know, allowed him to create even more visual stories.
He has, you know, quite a history with record companies too. Bertie Higgins was originally with CBS/Sony as a recording artist. But, in more recent years, he made a move to a different company called Toucan Cove. This particular company is, you know, a smaller, more specialized record label that gets its music out through the Universal Music Group. He's, in fact, put out several albums with them, continuing to share his musical creations.
Bertie Higgins - Personal Details
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Full Name | Elbert Joseph Higgins |
Born In | Tarpon Springs, Florida |
Raised In | Tarpon Springs, Florida (picturesque Greek community) |
Heritage | Portuguese, Irish, German |
Notable Ancestor | Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (great, great grandfather) |
Occupations | Singer, Songwriter, Film Producer, Actor |
Known For | "Key Largo" (1981/82 hit single) |
Past Record Label | CBS/Sony |
Current Record Label | Toucan Cove (distributed by Universal Music Group) |
Mentors | Richard Boone, Burt Reynolds (in screenwriting) |
Family Involvement | Sons (involved in film production, including Julian Higgins) |
Other Interests | Helping various causes around the world |
Artistic Style | "Intellectual romantic" who paints story songs about tropical paradise |
The Hit That Changed Everything - Key Largo and Bertie Higgins
For many, "Key Largo" is, you know, the song that truly introduced them to Bertie Higgins. It was his first single, released in September of 1981. This tune, as a matter of fact, became his only song to make it into the top 40 hits in the United States. It, you know, reached its highest point at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1982.
That particular song, "Key Largo," spent a good seventeen weeks in the top 40, which is, you know, a pretty long time for a song to stay so popular. It was even given a gold certification by the RIAA, which means it sold quite a few copies. On top of that, "Key Largo" also, in fact, spent two weeks at the very top of the adult contemporary chart, showing its broad appeal to listeners.
What's interesting is that Bertie Higgins, you know, became a recording artist known around the world, almost in an instant, especially in places like mainland China and Japan, after this song. It’s pretty amazing, actually, how quickly that sort of recognition can happen, all thanks to one very popular piece of music. The official music video for "Key Largo," which came out in 1982, also, you know, helped to share the song's story visually with people.
You might even wonder, you know, who was the woman in that "Key Largo" video? Well, that was Patty Wolfe, who, by the way, was described as the "cute girl" in the video. It's a small detail, but it just goes to show how much people, you know, connected with the story and the people in it.
Beyond the Airwaves - Bertie Higgins in Film and Production
Bertie Higgins, as we've mentioned, didn't just stick to music. He also, you know, spent time making films. He wrote and produced them, which, you know, takes a different kind of creative effort than writing a song. This shows, in a way, his broad interest in telling stories through various means.
He even, in fact, made several movies with his sons. Some of these include titles like "Beast Beneath" and "Poker Run." This kind of family collaboration is, you know, pretty cool to see, showing how his artistic pursuits extended to working with those closest to him. It’s clear that, for Bertie Higgins, creativity is something to share.
His work in film and television also includes acting roles. He starred in a number of films and TV shows, which, you know, allowed him to bring characters to life. This, in some respects, ties back to his early days of learning about screenwriting from Richard Boone and Burt Reynolds. It’s like, you know, he eventually got to use those lessons in a very practical way.
The establishment of a production company with his son, Julian Higgins, further highlights his commitment to the visual storytelling world. This company, you know, gives him a platform to continue creating and producing content, showing that his passion for film is, actually, quite deep and ongoing.
What About Bertie Higgins Today?
So, you might be wondering, what is Bertie Higgins doing these days? Well, he's certainly not, you know, resting on his past successes. He continues to be active in the music world, for one thing. He released a new album in 2017, which, you know, means he's still putting out fresh music for his listeners.
His move to Toucan Cove, that boutique record label, is, in fact, a pretty recent development, in terms of his long career. He's produced several albums for that company, showing a consistent output of new material. It's clear that, you know, he still enjoys making music and getting it out to people.
Beyond his own creative projects, Bertie Higgins also, you know, has a passion for helping various causes around the world. This shows a side of him that's about giving back, which is, actually, quite admirable. It’s not just about the art, but also about making a positive mark in other ways.
You can, as a matter of fact, still find his work and stay connected. His official YouTube channel is a place where you can, you know, watch videos from him, explore his albums, listen to his songs, and even see his TV appearances. It’s a good spot to, you know, get a sense of his entire body of work, from his early hits to more recent creations.
What Shaped the Artistry of Bertie Higgins?
It's pretty interesting to think about what makes an artist like Bertie Higgins who he is, creatively speaking. His upbringing in Tarpon Springs, Florida, that, you know, picturesque Greek community, certainly seems to have played a part. That kind of setting, you know, often inspires a certain kind of mood or story in creative work.
Then there's the connection to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, his great, great grandfather. That, you know, is a pretty unique family link to a truly legendary storyteller. It's almost as if, in a way, storytelling runs in his blood, making his natural inclination towards music and film even more understandable.
The early guidance from actor and director Richard Boone and Burt Reynolds also, in fact, seems to have been quite important. They saw his writing potential and, you know, taught him about screenwriting. Even though he focused on music first, those lessons probably, you know, shaped how he thought about narrative and character, which could then, in some respects, influence his songwriting too.
His description as an "intellectual romantic" who, you know, loves to paint story songs about living and loving in a tropical paradise, really gives a sense of his artistic leanings. It suggests a thoughtful approach to his themes, combined with a warmth and a focus on settings that, you know, evoke a certain feeling of ease and beauty.
Where Can You Find More From Bertie Higgins?
If you're interested in checking out more of Bertie Higgins's work, there are, you know, a few places to look. His official website, www.bertieh
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