Albert Hammond: Star behind the scenes

"It Never Rains in Southern California" became a global smash in 1972 - the perennial favorite is now one of British songwriter Albert Hammond's signature tracks. Hammond's name is also connected with tunes such as "Free Electric Band" and "I'm a Train," but they couldn't quite repeat the success of his tribute to the Golden State.

Nonetheless, he's among the most internationally successful artists in all of pop music.

Humble beginnings

On May 18, 1944, Albert Louis Hammond was born in London to parents from the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. They had moved to the capital during World War II, feeling that it was safer for them there. As soon as the war ended, though, the family left rainy London behind in favor of the South.

Albert was still a teenager when he formed The Diamond Boys with some friends. There were few places a forward-thinking beat band could play there at the time, so they headed to Madrid to do some shows, where Hammond was able to pick up some important experience and contacts. One such contact was to Steve Rowland. The American singer, guitarist and drummer had also gone to Spain, where he was active with his band Los Flaps.

Hammond and Rowland got to know each other during a joint gig featuring their two groups in Madrid.

Fateful meeting

The two young men decided to start a project together, heading to music capital London in 1966. They searched for the right band members there and built up contacts in the recording industry.

Calling their new band The Family Dogg, they put out their debut album, "A Way of Life," in 1969. Its title track was released as a single and landed in the British Top Ten. Even more decisive for Albert Hammond"s career was his friendship with fellow band member Mike Hazlewood. The two became a productive and successful songwriting duo, delivering countless hits to the recording industry, alongside their work with The Family Dogg.

Hazlewood was responsible for the lyrics, and Hammond for the compositions.

Albert Hammond's hit factory

"Little Arrows" (1968) was the first hit the two churned out together. British singer Leapy Lee made it a success. In 1970 came the slapstick number "Gimme Dat Ding" that put the duo The Pipkins in the charts. Arguably Hazlewood and Hammond's biggest success, however, was "The Air That I Breathe," recorded by the Hollies in 1974 before being covered by dozens of other singers.

Along with his close friend Mike Hazlewood, who died in 2001, Hammond also established other productive partnerships - with Carole Bayer-Sager, for example. Hammond and the prolific American songwriter wrote a Number One hit in 1976 for Leo Sayer titled "When I Need You."

Hammond ultimately churned out song after song, writing hits for music icons such as Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, Julio Iglesias, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston and the rock band Starship.

A star in the background

Albert Hammond sometimes sang his compositions himself on the 11 albums he released, but they would often only become chart-toppers in the hands of other performers. Whatever disappointment that may have caused the pop composer was likely eased by the enormous financial success he enjoyed, thanks to others' recordings. Although he increasingly pulled back as a performer, he remained a key figure in the industry behind the scenes.

Well into retirement age, Hammond remains active as new generations build on his trove of experience. In 2010, he was heavily involved as a producer, songwriter and studio musician on 29-year-old British singer Duffy's second album. In addition, his son, Albert Hammond Jr., has surely gotten a tip or two from his dad for his solo career and with his band, indie darlings The Strokes.

Connection with Cologne

For years, Albert Hammond has lived in Los Angeles, but still likes to relax at his house on the Spanish coast near Gibraltar.

"That's where my mother lives. She's 94 years old. I'd also like to reach that age. Maybe I can still write a hit or two in the next 25 years," Hammond told the Cologne daily "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger" during a visit to the German city in April. He was there to officially approve a version of his song "Free Electric Band," sung in regional dialect by the band Höhner. He even played a joint concert with the local legends.

The appearance in Cologne marked the starting point for a major tour that will take him through a number of German cities from June to November, 2014.