Real name: Bertrand Russell Berns

Effective period / Period of releases: 1961 - 1962

Russell Byrd was a pseudonym used by Bert Berns (born 8 November 1929, The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA - died 30 December 1967, New York City, New York, USA) an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s. In 1965, he formed Bang Records along with Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler. After Bert died of heart failure, his wife Ilene successfully managed Bang Records for the next 12 years, eventually selling the company to Columbia in 1979. Father of Cassandra Berns.