Friday, March 29, 2024

RIP Legendary Recording Engineer Al Schmitt, 91, Won The Most Grammys, Worked with Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Jefferson Airplane, Henry Mancini, More

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Al Schmitt was beloved in the music biz, the most awarded recording engineer in history. He has died at age 91.

Mentored by the great Atlantic producer Tom Dowd, Al worked with everyone from Henry Mancini– on “Moon River” to Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Jefferson Airplane, George Benson. Dozens of hits you hear on the radio came from Al’s work.

Just to give you an idea, he engineered Ray Charles’s monster hit, “Genius Loves Company,” for which he won a Grammy. His Grammy works also included Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Paul McCartney. Natalie Cole, Chick Corea. You get the idea– lush, gorgeous records that will stand the test of time.

There are so many records. He was responsible for all those amazing Jefferson Airplane records like “Volunteers” and “After Bathing at Baxter’s.” Jackson Browne’s masterpiece, “Late for the Sky,” I get chills thinking about it.

I do have a favorite Al Schmitt recording. Spirit’s “Nature’s Way.” I’m afraid if I put it here, I’ll be singing it all day. Thank you, Al, for giving us a soundtrack. Condolences to his family and friends.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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