INTERVIEW: Recording Engineer/Producer and Author Glyn Johns
November 21, 2014: Glyn Johns, Author of Soundman
Glyn Johns average work day? How about in the studio, behind the controls and managing the sound and recording of: Let It Be, Abby Road, Led Zeppelin 1, Beggars Banquet,; Sticky Fingers, Eagles, On The Border; The Kinks, You Really Got Me, The WHO, Quadrophenia, Who's Next, WHO Are You, Eric Clapton's Slowhand, Rod
Stewart/FACES, Paul McCartney & Wings and most recently Ryan Adams and Nora Jones sessions. This man was there for ALL of
it….
AND he tells me his thoughts on the burning controversies of the day: DID Yoko break up the Beatles? Who hasn't he worked with that he wish he had? Will Led Zeppelin regroup and tour?
We can only read and speculate about it, Glyn tells it like it is.........
Review
“Glyn Johns was there. He was there
at some of the most important recording sessions in Rock and Roll. Reading his
book, you are standing beside him as he sets up the studio in readiness for the
arrival of groups like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. For me
it is a fantastic romp through the pages of Rock and Roll history.”
—Sir Paul McCartney
“Glyn Johns has been a very
important person in my recording life (and also his brother Andy). Glyn
was the first recording engineer who helped me to understand recording and
through that he was very supportive in introducing me to a lot of sessions with
important people such as Ben Sidren, Leon Russell, Ronnie Lane, Pete Townshend
and Howling Wolf. This together, of course, with many of the great recordings
he did with us. He is one of the best.”
—Charlie Watts
“Sound Man will make readers
aware of the many sides of Glyn Johns, a giant of a man and one of my best
friends from the moment we met in 1963 to present day. Apart from his genius behind
the faders and success as the producer of myriad hits, his humor comes through
here, together with his unfailing desire to do the very best work he could in
the face of some frighteningly egotistical artists.”—Bill Wyman
“If you remember the sixties then
you probably weren't there, unless of course your name is Glyn Johns. Sound
Man is an intimate, humorous journey through the corridors of the music
industry, as told by one of the greatest record producers of all time. I'm
proud to be mentioned here and there, and to have worked with Johns on so many
memorable occasions. A great read!”
—Eric Clapton