There’s also a dynamic duo in the music industry, the artist and the music producer. Actually, you cannot imagine one without the other especially if the artist is just new in the industry. Music producers are individuals behind the scene in the music industry. These people showcase the music artists’ career and are generally involved in the process of audio recordings as well as instructing and assisting the musicians during rehearsals.
Also, coaching the said “artists” and working on perfecting details are considered part of their job. A music producer can likewise be an entertainer or someone who plays a musical instrument who can best handle production jobs particularly musical arrangements. In addition, they have the capability to recommend what will be an artist’s most effective song style which will soon be regarded as something exceptional. Below is a list of the top 10 Music Producers in the US.
10 – Butch Vig
Butch Vig born on August 2, 1955 was the primary and most recognized producer of the alternative rock hit of the early 90’s. He has released many albums for popular bands like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and Sonic Youth, prior to achieving success as a performer with the group known as Garbage.
9 – The Neptunes
The popular production duo comprises two persons with great talents- Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, both were acknowledged because of their important contribution for lots of successful R&B, Hip Hop and Pop music artists in year 1990-2000. It is believed that their sound is a very unique type of eccentric funk using sounds from Middle Eastern as well as Asian music which consists of woodwind and percussion instruments. Pharrell performs by singing and rapping and comes out in videos, contrary to his associate Chad who chooses to stay behind the scenes.
8 – Todd Rundgren
As a producer, composer and an interactive artist, Rundgren has produced a long term influence on the type and content of popular music today. Born June 22, 1948 and was raised in Philadelphia, he started playing guitar when he was a teenager. He pursued a solo career in 1969 after leaving his band. It was in 1972 when he recorded “Something/Anything?” on which he sang most of the vocal parts and played every musical instrument that launched him into the celebrity limelight.
7 – Daniel Lanois
He was born on September 19, 1951. He is a Canadian music producer and a song writer. He has produced albums for a multitude of artists like Bob Dylan, U2, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson, Chris Whitley, Ron Sexsmith and Nash The Slash. He began his career as a producer operating his own recording studio called Grant Avenue Studios. In addition to being a competitive producer, he plays well the guitar and drums. His aim and passion is to discover and soon reveal the best in every music artists he works with. He ensures that he make a “signature sound” to every project he creates.
6 – T-Bone Burnett
Joseph Henry Burnett was born in Missouri in 1948. He is a composer and a singer who emerged as one of the most successful and respected music producers and significantly admired performer in the music industry today. He started his career as a guitarist in Bob Dylan’s band in 1975. At that time, T-Bone already achieved a remarkable reputation as a producer. He has put together such music artists as Los Lobos, Elvis Costello, Marshall Crenshaw, the BoDeans, Bruce Cockburn, Tonio K, The Counting Crows, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Sam Phillips, Gillian Welch, and the Wallflowers.
5 – Sam Philips
Samuel Cornelius Phillips known to all as Sam Philips was born on the 5th of January 1923. He was an American music producer, record specialist, entrepreneur and a DJ who has a major role in the birth and introduction of rock and roll music in 1950s. In the 1940s and 1950s, he was a very popular talent scout. Philip’s peak of success came to a climax when the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley’s career was introduced in 1954.
4 – Dr. Dre
His real name is Andre Romelle Young. He was born on the 18th of February 1965. He is a record producer and manager, rap artist, businessman, occasional movie actor and a weight lifter. Dr. Dre is one of the well-known music producers in rap industry. He founded the Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics which he serves as its present CEO. He has supervised the singing careers and released albums for famous rap artists such as Snoop Dogg, Game, 50 Cent and the ever popular Eminem.
3 – Berry Gordy
Gordy was the seventh of eight children and he was born on the 28th of November, 1929. He is a record producer and the founding father of the “Motown” Records which is the most successful Black American owned and operated music corporation in the history of US. Motown recorded many of the most leading songs and bands in the field of R&B including Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and The Supremes. He was part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.
2 – George Martin
Mr. Martin was born on the 3rd of January 1926. A multi-talented person, he is a music producer, composer, musician and audio recording expert. At times, he was called as the “Fifth Beatle” because of his significant contribution on most of the “Beatles” very first music albums. He is undoubtedly one of the most successful music producers in history, with 23 leading hits in the US as well as 30 top-rated songs that became popular in UK.
1 – Phil Spector
Phillip Harvey Spector also known as Phil Spector was born on the 26th of December 1940. He is a very famous American song writer, music producer and the man behind the “Wall of Sound” production technique. Phil released more than 25 top 40 hit songs in 1960-1965. Two of his popular girl groups are “The Crystals” and “The Ronettes”. Immediately after his very first achievement, he later on worked with prominent music artists such as Tina Turner, George Harrison and John Lennon to name a few. The Beatles’ Academy Award winning song album was produced by him along with George Harrison’s Grammy award winning “Concert for Bangladesh”.
I’m not really much into music but I really admire the contribution of these people to the industry.
Successful Music producers are the HEAD of Music Industry. They’re to make consultation with Musical Label. Here in the Philippines we have IVORY RECORDS and APLHA RECORDS although we cannot see them in action they are still in the limelight back up by STAR RECORDS, GMA RECORDING STUDIO., etc etc….
Now I know whose behind those successful popular music that topped the billboard.
The people behind the successful artists/music of all time! Wow.
Isn’t it great to finally see the people behind the music that made the singers famous. Mostly these producers are less known not realizing that they a the genius in the music industries =)
Phil Spector was such a waste. Such a shame that he’s now in prison for at least 19 years for the murder of actress Lana Clarkson. He could still be churning huge hits until now.
I’m not familiar with any of them maybe because i’m really not into music,,.Thanks for this list.
These are great ‘behind-the-stage’ individuals who had helped create music icons. Honestly, I don’t even even one of them. Good share.
Of all the list on the popular music producers, I only knew Dr. Dre due my inclination to rap and rnb music.
Out of all the famous music producers that you’ve listed down, I was only familiar with Dr. Dre and The Neptunes. I’ve always been big fans of both, especially the latter. 🙂
I love different music and Good to know these people behind great music.
Great to know these people on this list! I’ve only heard of Daniel Lanois, Dr. Dre and The Neptunes. 🙂
I do hope we can have this kind of people in the Philippines. We need great sound producers and engineers.
I guess I only knew Dr Dre from the list. The others would be my first time. ^_^
Among the 10, I only knew Dr Dre and The Neptunes. Thanks for the trivia. 🙂