I’d have thought that old recording engineers, like old soldiers, “never die – they just fade away.” It isn’t so.
I note with sorrow the death of Geoff Emerick, who punched out yesterday at age 72. He was a towering — preeminent — figure in our arcane craft, and when he took over as The Beatles’ engineer from Norman Smith, and gave us Revolver, he changed recording forever. He touched nothing that he did not adorn.
His memoir of his time with the Beatles, Here, There, and Everywhere, is well worth your time.
Golden slumbers to you, Mr. Emerick. Thank you.
4 Comments
That is a frighteningly young age to lose such a talent.
A sad day, indeed. I also highly recommend his book. One of the best books I have ever read. It gives an interesting perspective on how much or how little George Martin’s role was with the Beatles.
Mal, have you ever worked at Abbey Road? Closest I ever got was just being a tourist crossing the famous zebra stripes outside the studio – with my shoes off!!!
Hi Ron! Nice to see you here again as always.
No, I’ve never worked at Abbey Road. One of these days, perhaps (though at this point I doubt it!).
I do recommend the Abbey Road plugins, though — especially ADT and Plates. Nowadays, who needs to leave home?
I’ve always had a fondness for Revolver which, along with Rubber Soul, marked a new maturity for The Beatles. I never hear “Good Day, Sunshine” without subsequently having a little more sparkle in my step.