Died On This Date (March 8, 2016) George Martin / Legendary Beatles Producer

George Martin
January 3, 1926 – March 8, 2016

george-martinGeorge Martin was a classically trained musician, record producer, and talent scout who most famously took a chance on the Beatles after they had been turned down by most other British record labels at the time.  What followed was a collaboration that changed not only the musical landscape of the era, but also what would become popular music and pop culture for decades to come.  With Martin as producer (and so much more) on the Beatles’ original albums, they scored 30 #1 singles in the UK and 23 in the US – and millions in sales, of course. Of the list of Beatles collaborators who were referred to as “the Fifth Beatle,” it was Martin who actually deserved the title.  That alone on a person’s resume is enough to cruise through the rest of his or her life, but not Martin.  Over the next six decades, he had a big hand in the success of the likes of Elton John, Dire Straits, Cheap Trick, ELO, and Celine Dion, to name a few.  Martin also worked extensively in film, either arranging, scoring or producing. Two of the most famous songs he produced for films were Shirley Bassey‘s “Goldfinger” for Paul McCartney‘s “Live and Let Die” from the James Bond movies of the same name.  He’s been recognized with six Grammys, an Academy Award, and countless other accolades.  George Martin was 90 when he died in his sleep on March 8, 2016.

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Died On This Date (April 7, 2013) Andy Johns / Legendary Record Producer & Engineer

Andy Johns
January 1, 1952 – April 7, 2013

andy-johnsAndy 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 StonesSticky 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.

 

Died On This Date (June 4, 2012) George Marino / Legendary Recording Engineer

George Marino
1947 – June 4, 2012

George Marino was a much-respected mastering engineer whose talents can be heard on such iconic albums as AC/DC’s Highway To Hell, Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions, Guns N’ Roses Appetite For Destruction, Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet, John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy, and Whitney Houston’s Whitney.  Marino’s began his career as a musician, playing guitar in various bands in New York City. In 1967, he was hired by Capitol Records as a librarian and assistant in their New York studio.  After Capitol closed the studio, he went to work at the Record Plant before landing at Sterling Sound in 1973.  It was there that he worked on many of the most iconic albums of the rock era.  Besides those mentioned above, Marino worked on albums by Metallica, Coldplay, Cyndi Lauper, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, and many more.  Throughout his career, he was recognized with three Grammys including Arcade Fire’s Suburbs in 2011.  George Marino died of lung cancer on June 4, 2012.



Died On This Date (May 26, 2012) John Harrison / Founding Bassist Of Hawkwind

John Harrison
DOB Unknown – May 26, 2012

As the founding bassist for the English heavy rock band, Hawkwind, John Harrison was one of space rock’s pioneers and an influence on countless heavy metal bands to follow.  Although he helped form the band in 1969, Harrison departed in 1970 and was replaced by Thomas Krimble.  A few years later, Lemmy Kilmister, who later formed Motorhead, filled that position in Hawkwind.  While Harrison was still in the band, however, he played on their landmark debut album, Hawkwind, which has been cited as an influence on bands like the Flaming Lips and Muse.  In later years, he worked as a producer and engineer at the legendary Village Recorders studio in Los Angeles.  In the early 2000s, Harrison was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease which ultimately took his life on May 26, 2012.  John Harrison was 69 when he passed away.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

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Died On This Date (January 5, 1976) Mal Evans / Beatles Road Manager And More

Mal Evans
May 27, 1935 – January 5, 1976

malMal Evans worked as the Beatles’ road manager for many years and also appeared in minor roles on several of their records.  He also discovered and produced Badfinger.  Evans was working as a bouncer at the Cavern Club in Liverpool when, in 1963, Beatles’ manager, Brian Epstein, hired him to work with Neil Aspinall as the Beatles’ assistant road manager. Evans’ duties ranged from bodyguard to errand-runner for the band.  During the Beatles’ later years, Evans helped out in the studio.  He contributed an occasional lyric or two and even played on several records.  It was Evans who was manning the alarm clock during the key moment of “A Day in the Life.”  In 1968, Evans brought Badfinger to Apple Records and even though he almost no technical experience in the studio, produced several of Badfinger’s songs, including their hit, “No Matter What.”  Evans moved to Los Angeles during the early ’70s after he and his wife separated.  In December of 1976, his wife asked for a divorce and Evans reportedly fell into a noticeable depression.  On January 5, 1976, a friend went to Evans’ apartment to check on him only to find him in an agitated and confused state and in possession of an air rifle.  Police were called and demanded Evans put down what they thought was a regular rifle, but he refused.  Mal Evans, age 40, was shot and killed by the officers who felt threatened by his actions.   The shooting was ruled justifiable.