Norman Smith, Beatle's Engineer, Pink Floyd Producer, R.I.P. @ 85

[DudeAsInCool]

The New York Times reports that "Norman Smith, who was the lead recording engineer for every Beatles song through 1965 and who as a producer helped usher in an era of psychedelic rock when he discovered the band Pink Floyd, died Tuesday in East Sussex, England. He was 85."

"His approach made its mark on a remarkable stretch of hit songs from 1962 until early 1966. They included “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “A Hard Day’s Night,” “Help!” “Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out” — all crisp and energetic recordings that were increasingly experimental."

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His contributions to Rock Music and recording go beyond his work with the Beatles, and have a lasting influence to today.

"In the last full album he worked on with the Beatles, “Rubber Soul,” in 1965, Mr. Smith helped the band members lay the groundwork for the increasingly radical studio performances they would feature on later LPs like “Revolver” (1966) and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967). One “Rubber Soul” breakthrough was the use of a sitar on the song “Norwegian Wood.”

[moodyblue]