Died On This Date (May 8, 2008) Larry Levine / Engineer For Phil Spector
themusicsover Larry Levine
May 8, 1928 – May 8, 2008
Larry Levine, was the gifted studio engineer who helped producer Phil Spector create the “wall Of sound.” He took Spector’s vision and made it work on such hits as “Be My Baby,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” and “Da Do Ron Ron.” Outside of Spector, Levine worked on records by the likes of Eddie Cochran, the Beach Boys, Sonny & Cher, and the Carpenters. In 1965, Levine won a Best Engineering Grammy for his work on Herb Alpert’s “A Taste Of Honey.” After years of suffering from emphysema, Larry Levine died in his home on his 80th birthday.
Eddie Rabbit was a prolific country singer songwriter who achieved much of his success during the ’70s and ’80s. Thanks to his hits, Rabbitt helped define what was considered “crossover” at the time, meaning that they appealed to both a country AND pop music fans. Rabbitt’s first hit came as a songwriter in 1969 when 
Ron Wilson was the original drummer for Southern California surf band, the Surfaris. It was Wilson’s pounding drum riff that opened “Wipe Out” and became the bench mark to which all drum riffs would forever be judged. Wilson died of a brain aneurysm on May 7, 1989.
LonPaul Ellrich was a much respected multi-instrumentalist and producer who added his skills to such notable Indianapolis acts as Sardina, the Mysteries of Life, June Panic, Some Girls, and the United States of Three. He was also part of Marmoset, one of the first acts to sign to the Secretly Canadian label. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Cleveland’s Matt Mugridge was a constant in the city’s changing music scene. A passionate music fan and punk musician himself, Mugridge co-founded the legendary Grog Shop on Cleveland’s east side in 1992. Thanks to Mugridge, future stars like Flaming Lips, Oasis and the Offspring played early gigs at the Grog Shop. In later years, Mugridge opened a couple of other clubs and started his own film company where he shot live concert films for acts such as the Black Keys and Neko Case. Mugridge passed away in his home on May 7, 2009.