Artists & Music

VETERAN PRODUCER BRUCE FAIRBAIRN DEAD AT 49 (Continued from page 8) and Mutt Lange," says John Kalod- starting with its self -titled debut in pions' "Face The Heat," Van Halen's ner, senior VP of A &R at Columbia 1980 and culminating with the 1987 "Balance," Chicago's "Night And Records. set " Wildsiele." Day," INXS' "Elegantly Wasted," and "We used to call him the school- Fairbairn's productions provided Kiss' "Psycho- Circus." teacher' because he had such a milestones in the careers of Aero- While growing up, Fairbairn took focused, clear- minded work ethic smith and Bon Jovi. In Bon Jovi's piano and trumpet lessons, and he about recording. He was a true mas- case, "Slippery When Wet" catapult- played in community groups until he ter of his profession. I can't say that ed the New Jersey act in 1986 from a was 16. While in 10th grade at Prince about many people." respectable sales level to superstar of Wales high school in Vancouver, he "It's a staggering shock," says status. Fairbairn also produced the started his first band, the Spectres, Fairbairn's manager, Bruce Allen, band's 1988 follow -up album, "New which Allen booked locally. who had known the producer since Jersey." In 1975, unable to secure a record high school. "All we know at this point The Fairbairn -produced "Perma- deal for his group Sunshyne, Fair - is that he died in his sleep." nent Vacation" in 1987 was Aero- bairn contacted Valiance for tunes. Yes had begun rehearsals for its smith's comeback album; he also pro- Valiance joined the band (as Rodney album in Vancouver in November and duced "Pump" in 1989 and "Get A Higgs). which was briefly renamed started recording there in January. Grip" in 1993. Stanley Screamer. Fairbairn and Val- "Bruce was such a good guy, and "I start thinking of all we've done, lance produced four tracks, which we had so much fun together, and, all and what I'd say to him if I could," secured a deal with GRT Records of of a sudden, he's gone," says Ander- says Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler. Canada in 1976. son. "We had worked on Sunday "He was very instrumental in When Valiance opted not to handle afternoon doing a long piece of music, birthing three of the greatest albums production of the band's debut album, which was Bruce's baptism into Yes we've done. He was so good at being Fairbairn, no longer playing trumpet, music on that scale. He loved the chal- free and open and passing on ideas took full control of the band, which lenge and was having a great time." and arrangements. He could be a bas- was renamed Prism. Deconstructing Brooks. Capitol rocker Meredith Brooks, center, is currently in "I was devastated when I got a call tard and hard to work with. He'd "As a record executive, it was a the studio with producer David Darling, right, and mixer Chris Lord -Alge, putting about Bruce's death," says Lewis push me. But we did some great al- delight to work with Bruce," recalls the finishing touches on her next album, "Deconstruction." Due in late summer, Kovac of Left Bank Management in bums with his help. He helped relight Ross Reynolds, then president of the set follows the artist's 1997 breakthrough, "Blurring The Edges," which fea- London, which handles Yes and the the fire under Aerosmith after all GRT Canada and now chairman of tured the hii "Bitch." Cranberries. Kovac first worked those years." Universal Music Canada. "He was so closely with Fairbairn on the Cran- Adds Aerosmith guitarist Joe bright and related to both the artis- berries' 1996 album, "To The Faithful Perry, "Everybody [in the band] is tic side and the business side [of the HOLLYWOOD HILLS Departed," as well as on their current feeling the loss. [With three albums,] business]." Spacious, two story, custom album, "Bury The Hatchet." "His we probably spent a full year record- Prism's self-titled 1977 album was built, English Tudor behind death is sad and horrible," he says. ing with Bruce in Vancouver. I hadn't released on Ariola in the U.S. and gates. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 "He was the nicest man in the world." talked to him for eight months, and to reached No. 137 on Billboard's Top bathrooms. Perfect for lavish Allen says creating great music think I'm not going to see him ever LPs & Tapes chart. Its 1978 follow - entertainment with full bar was the center of Fairbairn's business again, it's so hard. I just can't believe up, "See Forever Eyes," also on Ario- and spa room. Views of life. it. It's going to be a long time before la, peaked at No. 158. "Small Change" mountains and Hollywood sign. Hardwood floors. "Bruce was very much about music we're used to it." (1982) on Capitol reached No. 53. 2 fireplaces. Pool & spa. being the soul of what he did in the Fairbairn's production credits also By this time, however, Prism was Large motor court. studio," he says. "He didn't want [ses- include Poison's "Flesh And Blood," falling apart, and Fairbairn had turned Asking: $995,000 sions] buggered up by business or by the Dan Reed Network's "Dan Reed his focus to producing other acts. TATIANA WOLDANSKI technology. He didn't believe in Pro - Network" and "The Heat," AC /DC's Fairbairn is survived by his wife, (31 0) 826 -0220 Tools. He still chopped tape with a "The Razor's Edge" and "Live," Mot- Julie Glover, and sons Scott, Kevin, http://jesman.com/new.htm razor blade. I used to want to cut ley Crue's "Dr. Feelgood," the Scor- and Brent. EDWARD JESMAN & CO., REALTORS harder [production] deals, but he wouldn't let me. He'd say, `No. The band needs this or that. I don't care about the advance. We'll make it on the upside [producer's royalty]: " THE BIG, PHAT P A family man, Fairbairn tradition- ally insisted on working in his Van- couver hometown, first at Little Mountain Sound in the '80s, then, in Babes, Boys, Bars & Buckhead. Here's the 411 on Atlanta's recent years, at Armoury Studios. He fell in love with the facility while pro- ducing Chicago and purchased it in 1996 from songwriter/producer Jim high -rise address for action. Get hooked up in the Big Valiance, a longtime friend. "What a terrible loss," says Val - lance. "I'm just devastated. Bruce and I worked together for 26 years. He Bucky and get lucky. More than a crib, it Atlanta's coolest was a remarkable guy. Irreplace- able." Rock began working with Fair - place to be hip hop, skip The Ritz, bairn while an engineer at Little -a and a jump from Mountain. The duo worked as a tight- knit production team on multiple albums for Loverboy, Bon Jovi, and Justin's, Phipps and Lenox. We're talking the only Aerosmith. Eight years ago, Rock switched to producing on his own and has since produced Metallica, the Cult, and Motley Crue. penthouse of its size available on Peachtree Road! With "Bruce was very disciplined," says Rock. "He was really good with peo- ple. Everybody got along with him. If there were flare -ups [in the studio], stats like these it won't be on the market for long. he dealt with people in a way nobody got hurt." Fairbairn made his international reputation in the 1980s with a string Contact Michael Hoskins at 404 -874 -6357. of hit albums for Canada's Loverboy,

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