Rupert Holmes

Rupert Holmes will forever be known for his chart-topping ‘70s anthem “Escape (The Pina Colada Song).” But this singer, songwriter, producer, playwright, and author has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than five decades. • Holmes was born in Cheshire, England, to an American bandleader father and a British mother. He grew up near Nyack, New York, and studied music at The Crouse College of Music at Syracuse University and the Manhattan School of Music. • His first chart success came with “Jennifer Tompkins,” a song credited to The Street People—a group that didn’t actually exist. Holmes cowrote and sang on the track, which reached No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. • In 1971, Holmes scored his first Top 20 hit with “Timothy,” written for the rock band The Buoys. The darkly funny song about cannibalism peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. • Holmes’ 1974 debut solo album, Widescreen, caught the attention of Barbra Streisand, who featured two of his songs on the quadruple-platinum soundtrack for the 1976 film A Star Is Born. • In 1979, Holmes released Partners In Crime, known for its megahit “Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The follow-up, “Him,” gave Holmes another Top 10 hit. • Holmes has since written numerous books, plays, and TV shows, including the Tony-winning 1985 musical The Mystery of Edwin Drood.