Led Zeppelin & Van Halen Producer Dies at Just 61
Producer Andy Johns has died at the age of 61, Classic Rock Magazine reports.
The news was confirmed by guitarist Stacy Blades, who was working on an untitled project with Johns until the producer was hospitalized last week. No cause of death was immediately available for the British-born Johns, the younger brother and uncle, respectively, of fellow producer/engineers Glyn Johns and Ethan Johns. However, Blades said (via Billboard) liver trouble was one reason why Johns had been hospitalized.
The big-name deskman worked with the Rolling Stones between 1968 and 1973, and was behind their landmark 1972 album “Exile on Main Street.” He produced “Led Zeppelin IV” in 1971. Among his other titles are two by Humble Pie, three by Free, Television’s “Marquee Moon”, Hughes/Thrall, Van Halen’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, three by LA Guns, Joe Satriani, Chickenfoot’s debut and many others.
As an engineer he also worked with Godsmack, Eric Clapton, Mott The Hoople, Joni Mitchell and more. Fellow producer Kevin Shirley has paid tribute, saying: “Andy is a bona fide legend. I met him in New York with Pat and Zoe Thrall when he was very condescending to me at Ruby Foo’s over some cold sake.”
“After listening to some of my work he became somewhat of a fan, according to my friend Pat Thrall, who witnessed him listening to one of my Aerosmith mixes for hours.” “Andy’s legacy is huge – the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin to name a couple. Wherever it is you go to, I know you’ll keep ‘em rocking! Love and respect in boatloads.”
Brian May of Queen adds: “He was a lovely guy: patient, skilled, funny, encouraging, sharp – all the qualities you want in someone who’s getting your music onto tape. I remember him as one of the Olympic Studios team in Barnes. He went on to become one of the very top rock producers in the world.” Slash comments: “One of the greet engineer-producers of our time. Free, Zeppelin, Stones – the list goes on. He will be sorely missed.”
Chickenfoot and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith says: “RIP Andy – he made some of my all-time favourite records.”