BERTIE HIGGINS: Pirates and Poets

Bertie Higgins

Pirates and Poets

© 1984 Bertie Higgins

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

The recording artist/singer songwriter who brought you such great hits as "Key Largo", "Just Another Day in Paradise" and the double Platinum smash, "Casablanca" proudly presents his second album. It is filled with tropical love songs and adventures.

notes

Like his great great grandfather, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German poet who penned "Faust", Bertie Higgins is a storyteller. He was born Elbert Joseph Higgins of Portuguese, Irish and German descent and raised in the picturesque Greek community of Tarpon Springs, Florida. Bertie is an intellectual romantic who loves to paint story songs about living and loving in a tropical paradise.

His love songs explore the efforts of man trying to fathom the mystery and allure of woman. His fantasy songs deal with the beauty and sensuality of the tropics and his story songs combine past experiences and future hopes. The resounding theme throughout Bertie's work: "Make the best of today lest tomorrow never comes".

Bertie, who once supported himself as a sponge diver, began his career in show business at the age of twelve as a ventriloquist. He won top prizes in local talent contests and became a favorite at school assemblies and clubs around Tampa Bay. Two years later, a battered set of drums forced a career change and Bertie set off to follow the back beat heard around the world -- Rock and Roll.

His first band played proms, homecoming dances and sock hops. After graduating Tarpon Springs High School, Bertie enrolled in St. Petersburg Junior College to study journalism and fine art, but the music continued to sing in his heart. He eventually left college and became drummer for the Tommy Roe band (Sheila, Dizzy), The Roemans, During this period, the band toured the world, opening shows for the likes of the Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Manfred Mann, Peter and Gordon, The Dave Clark Five and many more. At the height of Beatlemania, Bertie was playing with and learning from the best.

Tiring of the rigors of the road and yearning to make his own musical statement, Bertie left The Roemans and returned home to Florida. He put down his drumsticks, picked up a guitar and began crafting music and lyrics. It was a time of great satisfaction and personal release. Producers such as Bob Crewe (The Four Seasons), Phil Gernhard (Lobo), and Felton Jarvis (Elvis) took an interest and contributed to the growth of the young songwriter. Bertie's talent flourished and he was in demand to play venues throughout the state.

Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens and Jimmy Buffet were Bertie's primary sources of inspiration and he remains friends with Gordon and Jimmy today. During this period, he also met and became a protege of the late actor/director, Richard Boone, who saw Bertie's writing potential and tutored him in screen writing.

In 1980, Bertie moved to Atlanta and met record producer, Sonny Limbo. Sonny had played a role in developing the group Alabama and had been isntrumental in the careers of several others. He arranged that fateful meeting between Bertie and music publisher, Bill Lowery, whom Bertie had known through Tommy Roe. The meeting of these three was destiny waiting to happen.

Bertie had been working on a song about a personal failed romance. He presented the rough cut to Bill and Sonny. They helped him perfect the lyrics of the song that became Key Largo. Bertie recorded the master and presented it to Kat Family records, a newly formed CBS distributing company. At first they rejected it. After persistent badgering by Bertie, Bill and Sonny, Kat Family finally agreed to release the single in 1981 and pop music history was made.

Key Largo blew a hole in the U.S. charts. When it reached number one in the nation, the world took notice and it went on to become an international hit. Other hit singles followed like Just Another Day in Paradise, Casablanca and Pirates and Poets. Casablanca became Song Of The Year in all of the pacific rim and the album hit double platinum. Bertie Higgins became an international recording star literally overnight.

For the past several years, Bertie and his excellent group, "The Band of Pirates" have toured extensively around the globe. He has received rave reviews and accolades from the music industry and his fans alike. He is named in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and displayed in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in Macon. Besides being the consummate stage performer, songwriter and vocalist, he is an accomplished screenwriter/novelist and actor. Bertie has owned a successful restaurant in the Florida Keys, written music for David Letterman, Burt Reynolds and many others. He has made numerous TV talk show and music variety show appearances around the world and continues to be invited back again and again. Besides maintaining a rigorous schedule of one-nighters, he also makes regular appearances on the fabulous Las Vegas strip.

Bertie supports several national charitable organizations. Hospice, The American Cancer Society, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America are just a few. He regularly makes appearances and participates in several charitable national golf tournaments and donates his time and talent. He lives by the credo "you must give some back", and takes the commitment to these wonderful organizations very seriously.

An ongoing project in his homestate of Florida is the preservation of fragile endangered wildlife, particularily the brown pelican and other sea birds. He works closely with zoologist, Ralph Heath of the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary in Redington Shores, FL, and has organized and performed at several fund raisers to benefit that great organization. He has also been actively involved in preserving Florida's rapidly deteriorating lighthouses and was instrumental in helping restore the one on Anclote Key near his hometown of Tarpon Springs.

Bertie is the father of three boys and one girl, and lives with two of his sons, Julian and Aaron in Burbank, CA. His eldest son, Damian, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, is a world renowned recording artist in his own right. He has attained a great deal of success under the pseudonym, "Diesel Boy" and is currently working on his ninth CD release. One of the top junglist D.J.'s on the globe, he performs regularly from London, Cape Town, Budaphest, Hong Kong, New York and all points in between. He has graced the cover of several national magazine publications and Bertie couldn't be a prouder Dad. Julian is a college sophomore attending film school in Hollywood learning to direct movies; Aaron is a senior at Burbank High and Kimberly holds a postition with Southwest Air, the greatest airline in the world. He is also the proud grandfather of Eli William Dauser, Kimberly's young son.

Bertie personally manages his international fan club, "The Boneheads" and he is endeared to each and every member. He truly believes that they are just the greatest group of people in the world and hovers over them with a watchful, caring eye. Once annually they fly into Florida from around the world to participate in their "Pirates of the Caribbean" cruise. Always a seven day adventure with a major cruise line, they hang out, party, explore the Caribbean and meet 'n' greet each other. 'Tis always a pillage and plunder and the next one is soon forthcoming.

To be certain, it will always be just another day in paradise for Bertie Higgins and he'll be waiting for you under the next palm tree for years to come. This pirate and poet continues to write and sing about turquoise lagoons, golden sands and islands in the sun in a style he affectionatly refers to as Trop Rock.

reviews

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  • Pirates and Poets
    author: Bruce

    I have loved this album since the very early 80's while stationed in the UK, still have the vinyl copy. Glad to finally have the CD. Listening to it now brings back many fond memories of when life was much simpler.

  • author: Steve Grubbs

    I had this album on vinyl and cassette. The vinyl died in a storage company warehouse during a hurricane while I was overseas. The cassette died of exhaustion. But I remember those moonlit nights ghosting back in from the islands toward Biloxi on the Mississippi coast on a warm southerly wind, the spinnaker set, and Bertie setting the mood on the boat’s stereo. This CD brings it all back. I may be stranded back home in Houston now, but putting this CD on the stereo lets me go back to those wonderful years I had on that beautiful coast. I am so glad it finally became available on CD. I’ve been searching for a Pirates and Poets CD ever since I found “Just Another Day In Paradise” on CD back in the late 80’s.

  • Pirates & Poets
    author: Donna Smith

    A really good album and even better because Bertie signed it at a concert I went to. I love Only Yesterday though Blue Moon Tonight is good too. Always get what you pay for with Bertie.

  • I just found the treasure
    author: Svein Erik Opoien

    Great cd. Tokyo Joe may be the best. I sit up here in ice-cold Norway and dream myself away to the tropics. Now I just wait for A Buccaneers diary.. Thank you Bertie for making my stone-cold days so warm and bright!

  • Buried treasure of the Caribbean
    author: Tim Morgan

    It's marvellous that this great, under-rated album is now available on CD. Though less well-known than 'Just Another Day in Paradise', it is every bit as good. Bertie's vocals are superb here - a great combination of harmony, tone and power - the compositions are excellent and the arrangements and production faultless. Particular highlights are the title track, the truly gorgeous 'When You Fall in Love', the instantly memorable 'Tokyo Joe', the hauntingly beautiful 'Only Yesterday' and the epic 'Never Looking Back'. A personal favourite here is 'Marianna', which I find myself playing again and again....... All in all, a superb collection - I cannot recommend it too strongly!

  • It Was Only Yesterday...
    author: Brian J. Dupre

    that I remember watching Bertie play at the old Rum Keg Lounge in Tarpon Springs - though the calendar would say it was 1978 or 1979! I still have this album in vinyl and am glad to finally have it in CD! Bertie's music is timeless and every song is great!

  • My all-time personal favorite album
    author: Jack Shatzer

    Bertie Higgins’ voice and music are so distinctive. The ultimate experience is driving across the keys late at night in a convertible with Bertie’s songs filling the warm night air. I hope I can do it again some day. Thanks Bertie for all the years of enjoyment

  • author: Brian Mailman

    A fan since I was young and never disappointed with the Artist's music. A brillant collection of songs with meaning.

  • AWESOME!
    author: Miata Molly

    I have Bertie belting out his tunes as I parade around in my covertible! Its like ALWAYS being on vacation! THANK YOU!

  • GREAT!!
    author: Lorna

    Although this is an old compilation, it was something I'd been searching for since 1991. My old LP of Pirates and Poets had been damaged in a flood (along with all of my other LPs). I love the song "Tokyo Joe", and could not find it on any other Bertie Higgins CDs. Being able to replace it has meant so much to me. Now, I sing that song multiple times a day in the privacy of my car as I drive to and from work. LOVE that song!!

  • This is a magical and beautiful CD...A true must have!!
    author: Laura G

    Beautiful CD! This is a must have CD if you enjoy feeling like you are in the tropics and falling in love for the first time. Get this CD and you will not regret it! Enjoy the music and falling in love with these songs.

  • Simply fantastic.
    author: Diane Arner-Motzkus

    Pirates and Poets is a great CD, with very interesting stories being told. Love it.

  • Carribean soul music!
    author: William Beck

    Born in the Tampa Bay area, Pirates and Poets has a special place in my heart! Unequivocally, this is music for the soul! Many thanks, my friend!

  • author: L lund

    Love this CD. When you listen to it, you think to yourself Just Another Day In Paradise.

  • TOO-GOOD-TO-BE-TRUE
    author: Laura

    On a scale of 1 - 5 this CD rates about 100+. It's Bertie at his best...but then when is Bertie ever less than best?

  • Truely heart felt music! Thank-you Bertie
    author: Brian Laird

    I first heard Pirates & Poets when I was quite young and even then it took a special place within me. The music is very emotionally stirring as well as the stories. I have always been drawn to music that tells a story. I introduced it to my girlfriend shortly after we got together, I would play it in the mornings as we got our days going. She is now my wife and mother of our daughter. Bertie's music is very special to both of us. My wife was very exited to finally get the CD's, my LP's are fine but my turntable has been giving us greif for the last couple of months. Thanks Bertie.

  • Excellen CD
    author: Anissa

    Excellent CD-highly recommend--great music and lyrics.

  • great cd
    author: Tom Horne

    This is a great cd. Bertie is the best.

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