Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Prominent producer Martin Rushent dies

Tributes pour in for award-winning producer who worked with the Stranglers, the Human League and T.Rex

One of the leading figures in the music of the 70s and early 80s, producer Martin Rushent, has died. Rushent, who worked with bands including the Human League, the Stranglers and Fleetwood Mac over a long and varied career, died on Saturday aged 63.

His son James, guitarist in the band Does It Offend You, Yeah?, announced his father's death on his Twitter and Facebook page. A statement released by the band said: "Martin Rushent was not just James's dad, but also someone very involved with the shaping of DIOYY and countless other musicians he worked with. He had an amazing character and was a great friend to all of us. Rest in peace, sitting at your mixing desk in the sky."

Rushent, pictured left at his home in Berkshire, started as a studio engineer in the 70s when he worked on albums by rock giants Fleetwood Mac and T.Rex as well as the Welsh diva Shirley Bassey. But his career took a more electronic turn in the early 80s when he produced the Human League's 1981 album Dare, which contained the hit singles Don't You Want Me?, Love Action and The Sound of the Crowd and went on to be a worldwide hit. The album won Rushent a Brit award.

Rushent also worked with XTC, Generation X, Altered Images and all-female American rock band the Go-Go's.

Punk veterans the Stranglers saluted Rushent on their website. A statement read: "We have just received the sad news that another early band collaborator, Martin Rushent, passed away yesterday aged 63.

"Martin produced the band's first three albums: Rattus Norvegicus, No More Heroes and Black and White, as well as a string of singles. They parted ways during the recording of The Raven and he went on to set up his own studio, Genetic. He worked with many other bands, notably the Buzzcocks, Generation X and the Human League. RIP"

Rushent, from Reading, is survived by his wife Ceri, sons James and Tim and daughters Amy and Joanne.


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