Shep Pettibone

Robert "Shep" Pettibone (born 10 July 1959) is an American record producer, remixer, songwriter and club DJ, one of the most prolific of the 1980s.

Career
Shep Pettibone surfaced after his work with Arthur Baker on Afrika Bambaataa & the Jazzy 5's "Jazzy Sensation" and as an in-house mix engineer for Prelude Records. During his recording career, he launched innovative "mastermixes" for New York's KISS FM. The popularity of these mixes persuaded Prelude Records to release some of them commercially. Pettibone built his brand through his personal approach to remixing tracks, specially crafted for the dancefloor. Acclaimed by DJs worldwide, he was the go-to man to achieve club and chart success. His prowess at production and mixing led him to work with such artists as Madonna and George Michael in the late 1980s during the height of these artists' popularity. His influence is still perceivable in today's music.

Pettibone is the subject of the first volume of the Arthur Baker Presents Dance Masters series, Shep Pettibone: The Classic 12" Master-Mixes, a 47-song box set with highlights from his career.

The "Vogue" case
Pettibone, co-writer and co-producer of Madonna's 1990 hit "Vogue", sued Warner Music in a dispute over withholding royalty payments. An appeals court ruled that the music producer was not responsible for paying the publishing giant's legal fees in a previous case.

Selected remixing credits
• Aftershock – She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not (1990)

• Afrika Bambaataa & the Jazz 5 – Jazzy Sensation (1982)

• Alisha – All Night Passion (1985)

• Alisha – Baby Talk (1985)

• Alisha – Boys Will Be Boys (1985)

• Alisha – One Little Lie (1985)

• Alisha – Stargazing (1986)

• Alisha – Too Turned On (1985)

• Alyson Williams – Yes We Can (1986)

• Arnie's Love – Date with the Rain (1985)

• Apollo Smile – Dune Buggy (1991)

• Arcadia – Say The Word (1985)

• Art of Noise – Beat Box (1984)

• Aurra – Baby Love (1982)

• Aurra – Checking You Out (1982)

• Aurra – Such A Feeling (1982)

• The B-52's – Summer of Love (1986)

• The B-52's – The Girl From Ipanema Goes to Greenland (1986)

• Bananarama – Preacher Man (1991)

• Barbara Fowler – Knockin' On My Door (1985)

• Barone – Shake It Up ('Til Ya Drop) (1985)

• Bee Gees – You Win Again (1988)

• Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth (1988)

• Belinda Carlisle – I Get Weak (1988)

• The Belle Stars – World Domination (1986)

• Betty Boo – Doin' The Do (1990)

• Betty Boo – Where Are You Baby (1990)

• Bianca – My Emotions (1989)

• Bobby "O" & His Banana Republic – Somebody (1985)

• Boogie Box High – Nervous (1989)

• Boys Don't Cry – Cities On Fire (1986)

• Breakfast Club – Express Away To Your Heart (1988)

• Breakfast Club – Never Be The Same (1987)

• The Brooklyn, Bronx & Queen Band – Dreamer (1987)

• Bros – Drop the Boy (1988)

• Bros – I Owe You Nothing (1988)

• Candido – Jingo (1983)

• Carl Bean – I Was Born This Way (1986)

• Carol Jiani – Touch And Go Lover (1984)

• Carol Williams – No One Can Do It (Like You) (1981)

• Casanova – Eye Contact (1983)

• Cathy Dennis – Everybody Move (1991)

• Cathy Dennis – Just Another Dream (1991)

• Cathy Dennis – Touch Me (All Night Long) (1991)

• Cathy Dennis – You Lied To Me (1992)

• Cat Miller – Ready Or Not (1985)

• Cheri – So Sure (1983)

• Cheri – Working Girl (1983)

• Clair And Love Exchange Hicks – Push (In The Bush) (1984)

• Claudja Barry – Down And Counting (1986)

• Colors – Am I Gonna Be The One (1983)

• The Communards – Never Can Say Goodbye (1987)

• Conquest – Give It To Me (If You Don't Mind) (1982)

• Cyndi Lauper – Change of Heart (1986)

• Cyndi Lauper – What's Going On (1987)

• Daryl Hall – Foolish Pride (1986)

• Daryl Hall John Oates – Everything Your Heart Desires (1988)

• David Bowie – Day-In Day-Out (1987)

• David Essex – Rock On (1989)

• David McPherson – You Can't Stop (1982)

• Debbie Gibson – Electric Youth (1989)

• Debbie Harry – Heart of Glass (re-recorded solo version) (1988)

• Depeche Mode – Behind the Wheel (1987)

• Diana Ross – Paradise (1989)

• Diana Ross – Shock Waves (1987)

• Donna Garraffa – Let Me Be Your Fantasy (1985)

• D-Train – Keep On (1982)

• D-Train – You're The One For Me (1981)

• Duran Duran – All She Wants Is (1988)

• Duran Duran – I Don't Want Your Love (1988)

• Dusty Springfield – In Private (1989)

• Dusty Springfield – Reputation (1989)

• Eleanor – Adventure (1988)

• Elton John – I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That (1988)

• Elton John – Healing Hands (1989)

• Empress – Dyin' To Be Dancin' (1982)

• Erasure – Blue Savannah (1989)

• Erasure – Chains of Love (1988)

• Falco – Do It Again (1988)

• First Choice – Dr. Love (1983)

• First Choice – Let No Man Put Asunder (1983)

• Five Star – Are You Man Enough (1987)

• Five Star – The Slightest Touch (1987)

• Five Star – Somewhere Somebody (1987)

• Five Star – Treat Me Like a Lady (1990)

• Five Star – Find the Time (1986)

• Five Star – If I Say Yes (1986)

• The Flirts – You & Me (1985)

• The Flirts – New Toy (1986)

• Four in Legion – Party in My Pants (1984)

• Fox the Fox – Precious Little Diamond (1984)

• France Joli – Does He Dance (1985)

• France Joli – Gonna Get Over You (1982)

• France Joli – I Wanna Take A Chance on Love (1982)

• Gayle Adams – Love Fever (1982)

• George Benson – Twice the love (1988)

• George Michael – Hard Day (1987)

• Gloria Gaynor – I Am What I Am (1983)

• Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive (1990)

• Howard Hewett – Stay (1986)

• Huey Lewis & The News – Hip To Be Square (1986)

• Information Society – Walking Away (1988)

• Inner Life – I Like It Like That (1982)

• Inner Life – Moment of My Life (1982)

• Instant Funk – (Just Because) You'll Be Mine (1986)

• Jaki Graham – From Now On (1989)

• The Jammers – And You Know That (1982)

• The Jammers – Be Mine Tonight (1982)

• The Jammers – Let's B-B Break (1984)

• Jane Child – Don't' Wanna Fall In Love (1989)

• Janet Jackson – Alright (featuring Heavy D of Heavy D & the Boyz) (1990)

• Janet Jackson – Escapade (1990)

• Janet Jackson – Love Will Never Do Without You (1989)

• Janet Jackson – Miss You Much (1989)

• Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation (1989)

• Janet Jackson – State of the World (1991)

• Janet Jackson – The Pleasure Principle (1987)

• Jeannette "Lady" Day – Come Let Me Love You (1982)

• Jeffrey Osborne – Room with a View (1986)

• Jennifer Holliday – No Frills Love (1985)

• Jermaine Jackson – I Think It's Love (1982)

• The Jets – Cross My Broken Heart (1987)

• Junk Yard Dog – Grab Them Cakes (1985)

• Karyn White – Romantic (1991)

• Katunga – El Negro No Puede (1984)

• Keyna – Tell It To Me (1989)

• Kim Wilde – You Came (1988)

• Laid Back – I'm Hooked (1985)

• Laid Back – It's The Way You Do It (1985)

• Laid Back – One Life (1985)

• Labelle (Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx & Sarah Dash) – Turn it Out

• The Latin Rascals – Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (1988)

• Level 42 – Lessons in Love (1987)

• Level 42 – Something About You (1985)

• Level 42 – World Machine (1985)

• Leroy Burgess – Heartbreaker (1983)

• Leroy Burgess – Stranger (1983)

• Linda Taylor – You And Me Just Started (1982)

• Lionel Richie – Love Will Conquer All (1986)

• Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam – I Wonder If I Take You Home (1985)

• Lisa Stansfield – This Is the Right Time (1990)

• Loleatta Holloway – Crash Goes Love (1986)

• Loleatta Holloway – Love Sensation (1983)

• Louie Louie – Sittin' in the Lap of Luxury (1990)

• Love and Money – Candy Bar Express (1986)

• Luther Vandross – Power of Love/Love Power (1991)

• Madonna – Bad Girl (1993)

• Madonna – Bye Bye Baby (1993)

• Madonna – Causing a Commotion (1987)

• Madonna – Deeper and Deeper (1992)

• Madonna – Erotica (1992)

• Madonna – Express Yourself (1989)

• Madonna – Fever (1993)

• Madonna – In This Life (1992)

• Madonna – Into the Groove (1985)

• Madonna – Keep it Together (1990)

• Madonna – Like a Prayer (1989)

• Madonna – Rain (1993)

• Madonna – Rescue Me (1991)

• Madonna – Thief Of Hearts (1992)

• Madonna – This Used to Be My Playground (1992)

• Madonna – True Blue (1986)

• Madonna – Vogue (1990)

• Madonna – Where's the Party (1986)

• Madonna – Why's It So Hard (1992)

• Madonna – Words (1992)

• Mahogany – Ride on the Rhythm (1983)

• Mariah Carey – Someday (1991)

• Mariah Carey – There's Got to Be a Way (1991)

• MC Hammer – Pray (1990)

• Metallica – Enter Sandman (1991)

• Miami Sound Machine – Bad Boy (1986)

• Michael Bolton – Can I Touch You... There

• Michael McDonald – All We Got (It's Not Enough, Never Enough) (1990)

• Mico Wave – Star Search (1987)

• Mike & Brenda Sutton – Don't Let Go Of Me (Grip My Hips & Move Me) (1982)

• Mitsou – Bye Bye Mon Cowboy (1988)

• Morris Day – Are You Ready (1988)

• Natalie Cole – The Urge To Merge (1987)

• Narada – Divine Emotions (1988)

• New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle (1986)

• New Order – True Faith (1987)

• Nia Peeples – Street of Dreams (1991)

• Nia Peeples – Trouble (1988)

• Nick Kamen – Each Time You Break My Heart (1986)

• Nick Scotti – Get Over (1993)

• The Nick Straker Band – A Little Bit of Jazz (1982)

• Nu Shooz – Don't Let Me Be The One (1986)

• Nu Shooz – Lost Your Number (1986)

• Nu Shooz – Point of No Return (1986)

• NV – It's Alright (1983)

• NV – Let Me Do You (1984)

• Olivia Newton-John – The Rumour (1988)

• Paul McCartney – Ou Est Le Soleil? (1989)

• Paula Abdul – Forever Your Girl (1990)

• Paula Abdul – Knocked Out (1990)

• Paula Abdul – Opposites Attract (1990)

• Paul Lekakis – Tattoo in on Me (1990)

• Paul Lekakis - You Blow Me Away (1989)

• Pebbles – Giving You the Benefit (1990)

• Pet Shop Boys – Always on My Mind (1988)

• Pet Shop Boys – Heart (1988)

• Pet Shop Boys – I Want To Wake Up (1987)

• Pet Shop Boys – Left to My Own Devices (1988)

• Pet Shop Boys – Love Comes Quickly (1986)

• Pet Shop Boys – Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money) (1986)

• Pet Shop Boys – Was That What It Was? (1986)

• Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls (1985)

• Pet Shop Boys – What Have I Done To Deserve This? (1987)

• Pet Shop Boys – You Know Where You Went Wrong (1987)

• Phil Collins – Hang in Long Enough (1990)

• Phyllis Nelson – I Like You (1985)

• Pia Zadora – Dance Out of My Head (1988)

• Pierre – Just Right (1984)

• Pilot – You Are The One (1984)

• Pointer Sisters – Friends' Advice (Don't Take It) (1990)

• Pointer Sisters – Goldmine (1986)

• Pretty Poison – Nighttime (1988)

• Prince – Glam Slam (1988)

• Prince – Hot Thing (1987)

• Prince – Strange Relationship (1987, released 2020)

• Psychedelic Furs – Shock (1989)

• Rafael Cameron – Desires (1982)

• Ramsey Lewis – This Ain't No Fantasy (1985)

• Raw Silk – Do It to the Music (1983)

• Red Head Kingpin and the FBI – Get It Together (1991)

• Robey – Bored & Beautiful (1984)

• Robey – Killer Instinct (1985)

• Robey – One Night in Bangkok (1984)

• Rockers Revenge – Walking on Sunshine (1987)

• Run D.M.C. – Ghostbusters (1989)

• Run-D.M.C. – It's Tricky (1987)

• The Salsoul Orchestra – Ooh, I Love It (Love Break) (1983)

• The Salsoul Orchestra – Seconds (1982)

• S-xpress – Hey Music Lover (1988)

• Seal – The Beginning (1991)

• Secret Weapon – Must Be The Music (1982)

• Shakespears Sister – Break My Heart (1988)

• Sharon Redd – Can You Handle It (1982)

• Sheena Easton – Eternity (1987)

• Shirley Lewis – You Can't Hide (1989)

• Siedah Garrett – K.I.S.S.I.N.G. (1988)

• Sinnamon – Thin Line (1984)

• Sinnamon – He's Gonna Take You Home (1982)

• Sinnamon – Thanks To You (1982)

• Sister Sledge – Here To Stay (1986)

• Skyy – Call Me (1982)

• Skyy – Let Love Shine (1982)

• Skyy – Let's Celebrate (1982)

• Skyy – Show Me The Way (1987)

• Slade – Slam the Hammer Down (1984)

• Slay Cabell – Feelin' Fine (1982)

• Stacey Q – Don't Make A Fool Of Yourself (1988)

• The Springsteen Brothers – She's Fine (1984)

• Steve Shelto – Don't You Give Your Love Away (1983)

• Stewart Copeland – Love Lessons (1987)

• The Strangers – Step Out of My Dream (1983)

• The Strikers – Body Music (1982)

• Surface – Falling in Love (1983)

• Taylor Dayne – I'll Wait (1993)

• Taylor Dayne – Say A Prayer (1995)

• Technotronic – Techno Medley (1990)

• Terence Trent D'arby – Dance Little Sister (1987)

• Terence Trent D'arby – If You Let Me Stay (1987)

• Terry Lewis – Can You Feel It (1984)

• Third World – One To One (1985)

• Third World – Sense of Purpose (1985)

• Thompson Twins – In the Name of Love (1988)

• Thompson Twins – Sugar Daddy (1989)

• Timex Social Club – Rumors (1986)

• Timex Social Club – Thinkin' About Ya (1986)

• Tina Turner – Foreign Affair (1989)

• TKA – I Won't Give Up On You (1989)

• Toney Lee – Reach Up (1986)

• Tracie Spencer – This Time Make It Funky (1990)

• 2 Brave – After Midnight (1989)

• Unlimited Touch – Reach Out (Everlasting Lover) (1984)

• Unlimited Touch – Searching To Find The One (1982)

• Unique – You Make Me Feel So Good (1984)

• Vaughan & Butch Dayo Mason – Party on the Corner (1983)

• Vaughan & Butch Dayo Mason – You Can Do It (1982)

• Visual – The Music Got Me (1985)

• The Wally Jump Jr. & The Criminal Element – Don't Push Your Lock (1986)

• The Wally Jump Jr. & The Criminal Element – Jump Back (1986)

• Wang Chung – Let's Go! (1986)

• Warp 9 – Light Years Away (1983)

• Weeks & Co. – Going Out of My Dream (1983)

• Weeks & Co. – Good to the Last Drop (1983)

• Weeks & Co. – If You're Looking For Fun (1983)

• Weeks & Co. – Knock, Knock (1983)

• Weeks & Co. – Rock Candy (1983)

• Weeks & Co. – Rockin' It in the Pocket (1983)

• Weeks & Co. – Rock Your World (1983)

• Weeks & Co. – Tunnel of Love (1983)

• Weeks & Co. – Your Next Door Neighbor (1983)

• Wild Party – No One Knows (1987)

• Will To Power – Fading Away (1988)

• The Wrestlers – Land of a Thousand Dances?!!? (1985)

• Whitney Houston – I Belong To You (1991)

• Whitney Houston – So Emotional (1987)

Selected album production/writing credits
• Cathy Dennis – Everybody Move (To The Mixes) (1991)

• Cathy Dennis – Into the Skyline (1992)

• Cathy Dennis – The Irresistible Cathy Dennis (2000)

• Gary Barlow – "Love Won't Wait" (1997)

• Labelle – "Turn It Out" (1995)

• Madonna – I'm Breathless (1990)

• Madonna – The Immaculate Collection (1990)

• Madonna – Erotica (1992)

• Pet Shop Boys – "You Know Where You Went Wrong" (from b-side of "It's a Sin" single) (1987)

• Pet Shop Boys – "I Want to Wake Up" (from Actually album) (1987)

• Pet Shop Boys – "Heart" (appears on Actually/Further Listening) (2001)

• Taylor Dayne – Soul Dancing (1993)

• Taylor Dayne – Greatest Hits (1995)

• Taylor Dayne – Dance Diva: Remixes & Rarities (2005)