Although he began his career as a performer, Desmond Child – born John Berrett on October 28, 1953, in Gainesville, Florida – is best known as a pop songwriter. In 1975, he formed Desmond Child & Rouge alongside vocalists Myriam Valle, Maria Vidal, and Diana Gresselli. Desmond Child came to prominence four years later with the song “Last of an Ancient Breed,” which was included on the soundtrack to The Warriors. With Rouge, he reached number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Our Love is Insane,” which was lifted from the group’s self-titled debut album. Desmond Child & Rouge released one more album in 1979 – Runners in the Night – before splitting up. However, Desmond Child’s songwriting skills were being noticed, and he was asked to help co-write “I Was Made for Loving You” for rock band Kiss. The disco-influenced song became Kiss’ biggest single to date, although it divided their fanbase, which was not an uncommon occurrence for the band. He continued writing or co-writing hits for the next four decades for artists like Billy Squier, Cher, Bonnie Tyler, Jimmy Barnes, Jennifer Rush, Ronnie Spector, Alice Cooper, Animotion, Ratt, Roxette, Chicago, Robbie Williams, LeAnn Rimes, Vince Neil, Lindsay Lohan, Meat Loaf, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Katy Perry, Weezer, JoJo Siwa, and many others. His most successful co-writes including Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986), Aerosmith’s “Angel” and “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” (1987), and Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ la Vida Loca” (1999) and “She Bangs” (2000). Desmond Child continues to write, co-write, and produce for many rock and pop artists.
