Sandra "Sandy" Farina

Sandy Farina born in Newark, New Jersey in 1955, is an American singer-songwriter and actress, known for her starring role as Strawberry Fields in the film Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Playing opposite superstars Peter Frampton, The Bee Gees, Aerosmith, George Burns, Steve Martin, Frankie Howard, Diane Steinberg (Stargard), Billy Preston, Paul, Nicholson, and Alice Cooper to name a few.

Sandy started as a young ingénue who would later propel her singer/songwriter career into spanning almost four decades.  She was a mother, grandmother, superb cook/chef and admired singer who had a raspy toned four octave range.  Sandy could sing all styles of music but considered herself a Pop/Rock/Blues artist.

She had her first dance single “Hungry” under the name Sandy’s Gang produced by Patrick Adams released in 1975.  In addition to penning eight of the ten songs on her debut album “All Alone In The Night” (produced by Gary Klein and Charles Koppleman MCA Records 1979), with her long time best friend and collaborator Lisa Ratner, the two also wrote the song “Kiss Me in the Rain” for Barbra Streisand (which appeared on Streisand’s album Wet and was later released as a single on Columbia records) and “Broken Pieces” which was featured on the TV Show FAME.  Other notable songs “Packin'’ It Up” for Dolly Parton (which appeared on the RCA Dolly Dolly Dolly Album 1980) and the Duet “One of a Kind”written with Seth Walter sung by Vanessa Williams and Lenny Williams (of the Temptations) produced by Tony Camillo PAR records 2006.

She was a Star Search finalist contestant in 1983, singing “Why Can’t We Pretend” co-written with her brother Bob Feldman.  They also wrote “Body Talk” which appeared in the movie “The Toxic Avenger”.  In 1984, she traveled to England and wrote with producers Tim Smit and Charlie Skarbek where the songs “Temptation,” Fly Boy Fly”, and “It’s Only My Heart” (written with Ratner) became chart toppers in Germany and The Netherlands.

Sandy has won numerous songwriting contests and awards, including the ASCAP Award for “Kiss Me In The Rain”, The American Song Festival where her Bobby McCormack and Ratner’s song “Why Don’t We Fall In Love Again” (later recorded by Vanessa Williams) took first place and the grand prize. In 1983, she appeared on stage singing with a 60-piece orchestra, another Farina/Ratner composition “Face to Face” (produced by Tony Camillo/Jimmy Ienner) at the Yamaha World Song Writing Contest Buddha Kahn in Tokyo, Japan where she was awarded 2nd place out of 1,994 international contestants. In 2001 she also received a singles deal offer from EMI/Priority records for her remake dance version of “Kiss Me in The Rain” which has been independently released and can be heard on Spotify and iTunes.

Sandy remains a viable songwriter and her last recording “Better Days” written with Ratner and Frank Radice is currently in the finals in four categories in the UK Popular Song Writing Contest 2023

From 1985 to the present Sandy was a very sought after session singer for television and radio commercials and worked with top vocalists and musicians on national campaigns including singing with Kenny Rogers on the song “The Pride is Back” in 1987.  She is also credited as co-lead vocalist with Joe Cerisano and the band Toto on the acclaimed charity and history making event single “Hands Across America” written by Marc Blatte, John Carney, and Larry Gottlieb, the song peaked at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. Hands Across America was a project of USA for Africa.

Sandy remained a loyal SAG/AFTRA and ASCAP member for several decades. She was truly a gifted and beautiful soul. She leaves a legacy of love and inspiration for all who were fortunate to be touched by her kindness, talent and beauty. She leaves behind a plethora of loving friends, colleagues and adoring fans. As well as her beloved lifelong friends The Turnbull/ Orsamondo/ Dodge family and her music manager Andree Kaminsky.

Sandy is survived by her two sons; Kerry Farina, Jason Farina, and wife Christine, grandchildren, Alyssa, JJ, and Kieran, her brother Bob Feldman, her niece and nephew Allie and Austin, cousin Karen Komsa, Step daughter Danielle Post, extended family soul sister Lisa Ratner-Blumberg, Lori Ratner, Jordan, Jessica and Ian Blumberg.