Died On This Date (March 3, 2008) Norman “Hurricane” Smith / Produced The Beatles, Pink Floyd
themusicsover Norman Smith
February 22, 1923 – March 3, 2008
Norman “Hurricane” Smith was a British engineer and producer who worked closely with George Martin and who could count the Beatles, Pink Floyd and the Pretty Things among his successes. He was lead engineer on every song the Beatles ever recorded at EMI Studios. After being promoted to A&R and Producer at EMI, he signed Pink Floyd to the label. And along with his work with both Pink Floyd and the Pretty Things, he reluctantly helped usher in what would become known as psychedelic rock. In the early 1970s, Smith recorded under the name Hurricane Smith and had a couple of hits including “Don’t Let It Die” and “Oh Babe, What Would You Say?.” John Lennon’s nickname for Smith was “Normal.” Cause of death was not determined by press time, but likely Smith likely died of natural causes at the age of 85.