Died On This Date (June 25, 2006) Arif Mardin / Notable Producer & Arranger

Arif Mardin
March 15, 1932 – June 25, 2006

Born to a well-to-do family in Istanbul, Turkey, Arif Mardin, moved to the United States in 1958, having been awarded a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music.  After graduating, Mardin moved to New York City to break into the music business.  He took a job at Atlantic Records as assistant to fellow Turkish immigrant, Nesuhi Ertegun.  Within no time, Mardin became the label engineer and producer and eventually Sr. Vice President of the company.  Along with Tom Dowd and Jerry Wexler, he would be credited for creating the legendary “Atlantic Sound.”  Over his career he produced hits by a who’s who of popular music, and in doing so was awarded a dozen Grammys and over 40 gold and platinum records.  Artists that he produced include Barbra Streisand, the Bee Gees, Diana Ross, Queen, Aretha Franklin, Norah Jones, Willie Nelson, Dusty Springfield, and many more.  Arif Mardin died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 74.

Died On This Date (October 27, 2002) Tom Dowd / Legendary Producer

Tom Dowd
October 20, 1925 – October 27, 2002

tomdowdTom Dowd was an innovative record producer and engineer who helped develop the Atlantic Records sound thanks to hundreds of popular albums he collaborated on.  A master of physics, Dowd worked on the Manhattan Project while in the Army prior to his days at Atlantic.  The Manhattan Project was the code name for the development of the first atom bomb.  After his time in the service, Dowd got a job in the studio at Atlantic Records where he produced or engineered albums by the likes of Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Derek & the Dominos, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, the Allman Brothers, and many many more.  Dowd was far from a silent producer behind the board.  He has been credited numerous times for helping develop and shape the sound of the artist into what ultimately made them famous.  He was also instrumental in the growth of stereo and eight-track recording in the industry.  Dowd continued to work right up until the time of his death, October 27, 2002.  He died of emphysema a week after his 77th birthday.

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