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Harriet Schock
Biography
Singer/songwriter Harriet Schock is best known for writing "Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady," Helen Reddy's 1975 hit. In a career that spans close to 30 years, she has recorded several albums, all of which were critical successes if not bestsellers. She has also worked as a songwriting instructor, both privately and at USC. Her book, "Becoming Remarkable: For Songwriters and Those Who Love Songs" (Blue Dolphin Press, 1999), is something of a bible for aspiring musicians.

Schock was born in Texas and was encouraged to play the piano from an early age. Her father had been a musician before concentrating on medicine and eventually becoming a famous dermatologist. In 1973, having moved to Los Angeles, Schock was signed as a staff writer for Colgems-EMI after quitting her first job in advertising. Shortly afterwards, she landed a recording contract with Columbia, which fell through overnight. Instead, Schock ended up signed to 20th Century Records, a subsidiary of 20th Century Fox. Her first album, Hollywood Town, was released in 1974, and the following year Helen Reddy took "Ain't No Way to Treat a Lady" to number eight, which Schock had performed on her debut.