Legendary producer, engineer and recording innovator Phil Ramone passed away Saturday morning at the age of 79. No cause of death has been announced, however CNN reports that he was in a New York hospital at the time.
Ramone collaborated with a long list of stars including Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Bono, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Frank Sinatra, and Stevie Wonder, among others.
“Our industry has lost an immense talent and a true visionary and genius,” stated Recording Academy President Neil Portnow. “Everyone who encountered Phil came away a better person for it, professionally and personally.”
“I always thought of Phil Ramone as the most talented guy in my band,” said Billy . “The music world lost a giant today.”
Ramone won numerous GRAMMY Awards including Album Of the Year Awards for Billy Joel, Paul Simon and Ray Charles. In 1980 he received the GRAMMY for Producer Of the Year. He also produced music for several films, including “A Star is Born,” “Flashdance,” “Ghostbusters” and “Midnight Cowboy.”
