The music producer behind Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” and other hits was 82

Richard Perry, a music producer behind hits like Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” has died. He was 82.

The record producer died on Tuesday in Los Angeles after suffering cardiac arrest.

Daphna Kastner, a friend of Perry’s, said AP She described him as “her father’s friend” and added: “He made the most of his time here.” He was generous, funny, sweet and made the world a better place. Without him the world is a little less sweet. But it’s a little sweeter in heaven.”

Perry made a big name for himself in the 1970s, producing for artists such as Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Art Garfunkel, Carly Simon and Ringo Starr. In the late 1970s he founded his own label Planet Records and signed acts such as The Cretones, Pointer Sisters and Billy Thermal, among others. In 1983 he sold the label to RCA Records.

TMZ reports that according to Perry’s personal assistant Ben McCarthy, the producer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was no longer able to communicate verbally.

Perry is credited as the producer of Rod Stewart’s It Had to Be You: The Great American Songbook. The producer also worked with artists such as Donna Summer, Julio Iglesias, Neil Diamond and Randy Travis.

Perry received the 2015 Grammy Trustees Award for his contributions to the field of music recording.

The producer was in a relationship with Jane Fonda between 2009 and 2017.

Listen to “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon in the video below.