Died On This Date (October 3, 2011) Davy Kirkwood / Respected Audio Engineer

David “Davy” Kirkwood
DOB Unknown – October 3, 2011

Davy Kirkwood was a respected Scottish audio engineer and sound mixer whose resume reads like a who’s who of rock and pop music.  After an early career that found him working as a telephone engineer, Kirkwood set his sights on music.  He first sang in a band called the Beings, but then eventually moved behind the board.  Over the years, Kirkwood worked with such musical greats as Supertramp, Motley Crue, Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones, Rihanna, Joss Stone, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Ronnie James Dio, and many more.  As reported by Roadie For Life, Davy Kirkwood, who was 63, passed away on October 3, 2011.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

Died On This Date (December 27, 2011) Harry Andronis / Sound Tech For Frank Zappa

Harry Andronis
February 4, 1953 – December 27, 2010

Harry Andronis is perhaps best remembered as the long time front-of-house sound mixer for Frank Zappa.  He joined up with Zappa in 1988, coming on board for the Broadway The Hard Way Tour.  Prior to his job with Zappa, Andronis worked with the likes of Shadowfax, Chris DeBurgh, Supertramp, and Jean-Luc Ponty. He also created jingles for such companies as Schlitz, United Airlines, and McDonalds, and did sound effects for such television shows as L.A. Law and Doogie Howser.  In his later years with Zappa, Andronis helped him remix tapes from many of his old shows.   On December 27, 2010, Harry Andronis passed away following a long struggle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  He was 54.

Thanks to Roger Palmeri for the assist.