Roy Thomas Baker, a prolific producer who worked in particular with Queen in the cult song Bohemio Rhapsody too That with David Bowie, Journey, Guns N ‘Roses or The Smashing Pumpkins, died at the age of 78.
According to the New York Times, he died on April 12 at his home in the city of Lake Havasu, Arizona, but his family only announced the news to the press this Wednesday, April 23. The cause of his death has not yet been specified.
Queen’s producer
Born in London in 1946, Roy Thomas Baker began his career in music early enough to work at the age of 14 as an engineer apprentice in Decca registration studies in the British capital.
Under the direction of personalities such as Tony Visconti and Gus Dudgeon, he worked since its inception with many rock stars such as The Rolling Stones, who, David Bowie or Dusty Springfield until he became a chief engineer of the studies.
After joining Trident Studios Studios in the district of Soho, Roy Thomas Baker will meet with the Queen group in the early 1970s for those who will co -produce his first four albums, including the legendary One night at the operacarried by the success of the tube Bohemian Rhapsody.
During an interview in 1999, the producer explained the real challenge he faced during the recording of this study song. “It was completely crazy,” he said.
“We had to record it in three different parts. The central part only lasted a few seconds at the beginning, but Freddie continued singing ‘Galilleos’ of others and we continued to increase the opera section, and became getting bigger and larger,” said the producer.
Collaborations with Ozzy Osbourne and Guns N ‘Roses
On the basis of his success with Queen, Roy Thomas Baker approached the car group to produce his first four albums before resorting to New Wave artists such as Devo and Hard Rock groups such as Ozzy Osbourne, Journey or Guns N ‘Roses.
Also going through the Elektra label, the producer has noticed with Lindsey Buckingham, Dokken and Mötley Crüe and artists signed as Metallica or 10,000 maniacs.
In social networks, many artists paid tribute after the announcement of his death. Brian May, a queen’s guitarist, praised the “huge role” that the producer played during the beginnings of the British group.
“Roy’s work in production, as well as Mike Stone’s engineering for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, will never forget. Thank you, Roy, for all the right work he has for us and for all the pleasure we had. Rest in peace,” he wrote on Instagram.
Source: BFM TV
