RIP Phil Ramone

Remember when you would see a Producer's name on an album and you instantly had an idea what it would sound like.  It's not that it would always be good, mind you, but every Producer has a sound to their name.
Sure today we have a Rick Rubin, Butch Vig, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno and Steve Albini.

But a Producer's stamp came into being with Sam Phillips, Berry Gordy and Phil Spector and then took off with Tom Dowd, Jeff Lynne, Jimmy Iovine, Mutt Lange, Nile Rodgers and many more.  You put a record on produced by these people and you knew what you were getting, regardless of the artist.

Phil Ramone was certainly one of those.  The great Billy Joel albums Stranger & 52nd Street.  Paul Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years.  There was a professionalism involved with Ramone's records.  Maybe that has worked against him when it comes to the Rock Hall.  I'm surprised an industry vet like Ramone hasn't been inducted yet, and I have no idea if his name has even come up for discussion. He deserves it not just for his Production work but for his work as an Engineer and co-founding A&R Recording Studios.

But read the Wikipedia bio below and you'll wonder too why he's not in.

Phil Ramone