Geoff Emerick, the legendary engineer who helped The Beatles with their groundbreaking studio work in the 1960s and recounted his time with the band in the essential memoir Here, There, and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of The Beatles, has passed away. He was 72. Billboard reports:
Emerick’s death was confirmed by his manager William Zabaleta in a statement posted online.
“Today, at around 2’o’clock, I was making my way back from Arizona to Los Angeles to go pick up Geoff so we could transport some gold records and platinum plaques to our show in Tucson,” Zabaleta said. “While on the phone with Geoff Emerick, he had complications, dropped the phone. At that point I called 911, but by the time they got there it was too late. So Geoff suffered from heart problems for a long time. He had a pacemaker and when it’s your time, it’s your time. We lost a legend and a best friend to me and a mentor. That’s all I can say on the matter.” Emerick was due to appear at a show Oct. 6 in Tucson called Emerick’s London Revival to talk about his work with the Fab Four.
His agent, David Maida, also issued a statement on his website. “Thank You GEOFF EMERICK for being YOU. Though my heart is broken, you will remain in the hearts of many infinite. I am SO blessed to have gotten to know you and hear your wonderful stories along with the many laughs. YOU were a great man besides you being such an innovator. I am also happy that I called you SIR Geoff Emerick as you will always be a true Knight in my book. Rest In Peace my dear friend.”
Emerick also worked with Paul McCartney on the Wings album Band on the Run, and he worked on records by Elvis Costello, The Zombies, Art Garfunkel, and more.
Geoff’s contributions to studio recording left a major impact on the past half-century of music and can still be felt today. Rest in peace, Geoff. You won’t be forgotten.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neSNfOUIgQg