Legendary recording engineer Larry Levine, RIP

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Steve Hoffman, May 8, 2008.

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  1. Steve Hoffman

    Steve Hoffman Your host Your Host Thread Starter

    One of my good friends and one of the most legendary recording engineers in pop music history has died, Larry Levine. His wife Lyn has written:

    Dearest Family and Friends,

    It is my sad task to inform you that Larry passed away peacefully in his sleep during the night. He often told me when the quality of his life was diminished, he would be on his way.

    He left us on his 80th birthday. It is ironic that the house is beginning to fill with flowers for him. For those of you that sent him birthday cards, they will go with him.

    For a quiet kind of guy, the spotlight always found him. He was a legend not only to the world, but to his family and friends. He will be missed.


    Jos wrote:


    Larry Levine is responsible for some of the greatest classic rock recordings of all time. As Phil Spector's longtime engineer, he helped craft the "wall of sound" that made records by The Ronettes and other Spector artists sonically unique. Levine also manned the board for numerous Beach Boys albums, including the legendary "Pet Sounds," as well as Ike and Tina Turner's famed "River Deep, Mountain High." He has also recorded Herb Alpert, The Righteous Brothers, Billy Eckstine and The Ramones.

    Larry also was the 1965 Grammy-award winning recording engineer for "A Taste Of Honey" (Herb Alpert)....

    Let's keep him in our minds for all the great things he did to music.... :thumbsup:


    Gort Jos, the press was notified and I know you were holding off on this until that happened so I am going to post this thread. I know you started one as well but please let me do the honors here.

    Tuesday morning breakfast will not be the same without Larry, his modesty, cantankerous humor, wonderful stories about recording the Phil Spector and Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass hits and we will miss his gentleness and kindness.

    A sad day but he was active until the end (he was at breakfast on Tuesday) and his accomplishments in recording the music we love will live on.

    RIP, Larry.

    You can see Larry in the top shot at our Tuesday Morning Gold Star/Vine Street Irregulars Breakfast. Larry is on the left and has his "Hey, don't take my picture, dude" face on..:) These vets of the music biz (Stan "Choo Choo" Ross, the late Mel Levin, Dave Gold, Randy Van Horne, Hal Blaine, Fred Darian, etc.) are great guys and welcomed youngsters like Kevin Gray and I into their group with open arms.
     

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  2. Jamie Tate

    Jamie Tate New Member

    Location:
    Nashville
    He taught us how it's supposed to be done. RIP :(
     
  3. Todd Fredericks

    Todd Fredericks Senior Member

    Location:
    A New Yorker
    I'm sorry to hear this. I loved his work. My condolences to his family. RIP.

    Todd
     
  4. BradOlson

    BradOlson Country/Christian Music Maven

    This is sad news. RIP. Thanks for your important contributions to music, Larry.
     
  5. ElevatorSkyMovie

    ElevatorSkyMovie Senior Member

    Location:
    Oklahoma
    Can someone point him out in the pictures, please?

    thank you.
     
  6. My love for the Phil Spector/Sonny Bono/Brian Wilson/Larry Levine records cannot be expressed by words.

    I'm sorry to hear the news, I hope he was feeling okay and happy until those last moments.

    Below picture is Larry Levine, Phil Spector and Nino Tempo (edit by SH).
     
  7. Bob Lovely

    Bob Lovely Super Gort In Memoriam

    I am very sorry to learn of Larry's passing. He contributed much to the world of music and much more that I am obviously not aware of. Rest in peace Larry. My condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and admirers.

    Bob-:cry:
     
  8. John DeAngelis

    John DeAngelis Senior Member

    Location:
    New York, NY
    I'm so sorry to hear of Larry's passing. He leaves a great legacy. My deepest sympathies to friends and family on their loss.
     
  9. monewe

    monewe Forum Resident

    Location:
    SCOTLAND
    Another great goes to the studio in the sky. May he RIP and thanks for all the great music.
     
  10. HGN2001

    HGN2001 Mystery picture member

  11. stereoptic

    stereoptic Anaglyphic GORT Staff

    Location:
    NY
    My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.
     
  12. Hawkman

    Hawkman Supercar Gort Staff

    Location:
    New Jersey
    Oh NO! Geez. R.I.P Larry and thanks for those wonderful ears that brought us so many great records. :cry:
     
  13. sharedon

    sharedon Forum Zonophone

    Location:
    Boomer OK
    Very sorry to hear this; and very grateful for his work.
     
  14. joelee

    joelee Hyperactive!

    Location:
    Houston
    Rock & Roll Heaven indeed.
    R.I.P Larry.
     
  15. Gary

    Gary Nauga Gort! Staff

    Location:
    Toronto
    Very sorry to hear of this. RIP.
     
  16. Mark

    Mark I Am Gort, Hear Me Roar Staff

    Other than the Boss here, it don't get much better. RIP.
     
  17. Dugan

    Dugan Senior Member

    Location:
    Midway,Pa
    I'm sorry to here this. Thank you for all the wonderful music you cut through the years.

    RIP

    :cry:
     
  18. Perisphere

    Perisphere Forum Resident

    Another of my heroes gone. RIP, Larry! Thanks for all the great records!!
     
  19. thorbs

    thorbs Active Member

    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    RIP Larry!! Thanks for the music and care you gave for all those years. Rest now.
     
  20. Pug

    Pug The Prodigal Snob Returns!

    Location:
    Near Music Direct
    I'm sorry to hear this. Larry was one of the best.

    RIP. :(
     
  21. Very sad news, RIP Larry.
     
  22. jdmack

    jdmack Forum Resident

    Location:
    Silver Spring, MD
    Amazing. I've just been listening to Herb Alpert's "Going Places" for the first time in a while, and then I read this. Larry, you done good!

    J. D.
     
  23. child of nature

    child of nature dreaming, more or less

    Location:
    Tennessee
    I'm sorry for your loss, Steve. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. I am going to spin Pet Sounds tonight in his honor. RIP, Larry, and thank you!
     
  24. MMM

    MMM Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Lodi, New Jersey
    Wow, quite a loss. I'm so sorry to hear this. I love that big, textured sound he could get. One of the masters at engineering from back in the day, able to do his work quite artfully...

    Steve, my condolences to you and Larry's family. :angel:
     
  25. Captain Bacardi

    Captain Bacardi Active Member

    Location:
    Austin, Tx USA
    Sad news indeed. I always thought that Larry was as much responsible for the sound of the Tijuana Brass as Herb Alpert was. Loved the South Of The Border album's sound. He will be missed. :cry:



    Capt. Bacardi
     
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