Brian Potter, the Essex-born songwriter and producer regarded as one of the most versatile British hitmakers of his generation, has died aged 87, having lived with Alzheimer's disease in recent years. Working chiefly with his American partner Dennis Lambert, Potter shaped an extraordinary run of 1970s hits across pop, soul, soft rock, country and disco, leaving a mark on numerous major American artists and later on British pop.

Originally trained as a drummer, Potter first found success as a lyricist, co-writing the Small Faces' 1965 hit Whatcha Gonna Do About It before moving to the US to work with Lambert. Their credits include Glen Campbell's Rhinestone Cowboy (a 1975 US No 1), Player's Baby Come Back (a US No 1 for three weeks), the Four Tops' Ain't No Woman (Like the One I've Got), and Tavares's It Only Takes a Minute, later a UK Top 10 hit for Take That in 1992. The pair also worked with Dusty Springfield, the Righteous Brothers and Santana, and earned two nominations at the 1976 Grammy awards. After amicably parting from Lambert, Potter wrote for the Pointer Sisters, Kenny Rogers and others, and moved into musical theatre, children's television and theme park rides. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen, his daughter Courtney and stepdaughter Mary Shirley.