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 (February 2, 2012) Phil Brown / The Records

Phil Brown
September 13, 1953 – February 2, 2012

Phil Brown was the bassist for the English power pop band, the Records.  After earlier being considered to play in Free and Mott the Hoople, Brown was hired by the Records.  Formed during the late ’70s, the band went on to build a formidable cult following with some loyalists going as far as calling them the “British Big Star.” Drawing inspiration from the likes of Badfinger and the Raspberries, the Records began putting out records in 1979.  That year’s Shades In Bed included the catchy single, “Starry Eyes,” which went on to become one of power pop’s most enduring songs.  Although signed to Virgin Records, the band failed to catch on beyond cult status in the US, and split up in 1982.  After the Records, Brown collaborated with Kirsty MacColl, Mark Nevin, and Jane Aire.  He formed his own band, the Hurt in 1984, and later played in Hollywood Killers.  In 2001, Phil Brown was diagnosed with an undisclosed degenerative illness which ultimately took his life on February 2, 2012.

Thanks to Belinda Rawlins at Bubbles In The Think Tank for the assist.

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Smashes, Crashes and Near Misses - The Records

Died On This Date (July 12, 1983) Chris Wood / Founding Member Of Traffic

Chris Wood
June 24, 1944 – July 12, 1983

Chris Wood was not only a founding member of English rock band, Traffic, he was good enough to play alongside the great Jimi Hendrix, appearing on 1968’s Electric Ladyland.  A multi-instrumentalist, Wood was known for his skills on the flute, keyboards and saxophone.  He also co-wrote several of Traffic’s songs and sang back up for them.  Throughout the late ’60s and ’70s, Wood lent his talents to such artists as Dr. John, Ginger Baker, Free, the Faces and John Martyn.  Wood suffered from drug and alcohol abuse throughout his career but would die of pneumonia on July 12, 1983 while working on a solo album.

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The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Bonus Tracks) - Traffic


Died On This Date (March 19, 1976) Paul Kossoff / Free

Paul Kossoff
September 14, 1950 – March 19, 1976

In 1968, Paul Kossoff with Paul Rodgers, Andy Fraser and Simon Kirke formed the band Free. By 1970, Free were touring the world on the success of their third album and its hit “It’s Alright Now.” Just two years after forming, the band called it quits. While Rodgers and Kirke went on to greater fame with Bad Company, Kossoff kicked around releasing solo albums and doing session work. Kossoff never quite got over the break up of Free which likely contributed to his addiction to drugs. Kossoff died on a flight from New York to Los Angeles at just 25 years of age. The cause was ruled drug related heart problems.

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Fire and Water (Deluxe Edition) - Free