RIP Phil Ramone

[HollyH]

One of the greats. Among the records he produced in his multi-Grammy-winning career:

Dusty Springfield "The Look of Love"
Procol Harum "A Whiter Shade of Pale"
Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto Getz/Gilberto
The Band The Band
Harry Nilsson "Everybody's Talkin' At Me"
Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks
Paul Simon Still Crazy After All These Years
Paul and Linda McCartney Ram
Billy Joel The Stranger

Not bad for a violin prodigy from South Africa, who started his own label on a shoestring, above Manny's Music on 48th Street in Manhattan.

[gary]

I didn't know Phil Ramone was born in South Africa. Did he help influence Paul Simon to first go there?

[HollyH]

Good question. I know they were very close, and he did produce Graceland. Maybe he didn't inpsire the idea in the first place, but he probably brokered the partnership wtih Ladysmith Black Mombazo.