Died On This Date (April 7, 2013) Andy Johns / Legendary Record Producer & Engineer
themusicsover Andy Johns
January 1, 1952 – April 7, 2013
Andy Johns was an English record producer and engineer whose resume reads like an encyclopedia of rock. Still in his teens, Johns hit the ground running working as Eddie Kramer‘s second engineer on recordings by the likes of Jimi Hendrix. Over the next four decades, Johns left his mark on such iconic albums as Led Zeppelin‘s IV, Physical Graffiti, and Houses Of The Holy; the Rolling Stones‘ Sticky Fingers, Exile On Main St., and Goat’s Head Soup; Free‘s Highway; and Television’s Marquee Moon. He also produced or engineered albums for Van Halen, Humble Pie, Ron Wood, L.A. Guns, Cinderella, Chickenfoot, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Steve Miller, Mott The Hoople, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, and many more. Albums on which he worked have reportedly sold more than 160 million copies in all. He was the younger brother of the equally impressive producer and engineer, Glyn Johns. Andy Johns was 61 when he died on April 7, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums and Brett Ortone at Go Aloha Entertainment for the assist.
Neil Smith was an early bassist for legendary Australian rock band, AC/DC. As the replacement for original bassist, Larry Van Kriedt in 1974, Smith was in the band for less than a year before being replaced by Rob Bailey. In 1979, Smith joined Rose Tattoo, another popular Australian hard rock band of the day, for a brief period. Neil Smith lost his battle with cancer on April 7, 2013.
Roy Cox was the co-founder and bassist for Texas psychedelic rock band, Bubble Puppy. Formed by Cox and Rod Prince in San Antonio in 1967, the band had a #14 hit with “Hot Smoke And Sassafras.” The band’s lived debut came later that year when they opened for the Who in San Antonio. Signed to International Artists, the band released “Hot Smoke And Sassafras” in 1969 which was followed by their album debut, A Gathering Of Promises. The band parted ways with International Artists and moved to Los Angeles in 1970. Contractually, they could no longer use the name Bubble Puppy, so they rechristened themselves Damian and released a self-titled album the following year. The band split up in 1972 due to financial problems. Bubble Puppy reunited and recorded their long-awaited second album in 1987 and continued on and off for the next two decades. All original members reformed to play at the Austin Music Awards in 2011 as well as for a handful of later special dates. During his gaps with Bubble Puppy, Cox found time to form the Blues Knights, who released two CDs in 1999 and 2001. He later formed the NYC Outlaws while living in New York. Roy Cox was 64 when he passed away on April 2, 2013.
Phil Ramone was a successful record producer who, over a career that spanned some five decades, was awarded 15 Grammys, one Emmy, and countless other accolades. A child prodigy born in South Africa, Ramone, was playing the violin at age three, and performing for Queen Elizabeth II before he hit his teens. During the ’40s, he moved to the United States where he attended The Julliard School before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1953. In 1959, Ramone opened his own studio, A & R Recording and quickly built a name for himself due to his use of the latest technologies. Artists he went to produce landmark albums with include Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, 
Robert Zildjian was the founder of Sabian Cymbal Company, one of music’s most popular brands. Born into the family that began making cymbals in Istanbul in 1633, Zildian went into the family business at a very young age. At almost 400 years old, the Avedis Zildjian Company is one of the oldest companies in the world. In 1929, the business moved to America, and in 1981 – after a family dispute – Robert broke away and formed the Sabian Cymbal Company. The two cymbal makers have coexisted yet remained rivals ever since. Sabian Cymbals have been used by many of the greatest drummers in rock history. Robert Zildian died of cancer on March 28, 2013. He was 89.