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Grammy-Winning Producer Greg Ladanyi Dies at 57

Greg Ladanyi, a Grammy-winning producer who worked with Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Fleetwood Mac, Warren Zevon and Toto, died Tuesday after sustaining severe head trauma in an onstage accident last week in Cyprus. Ladanyi, 57, was on tour in with Anna Vissi, an artist signed to his label, Maple Jam Music Group.

Officials said Ladanyi fractured his skull after falling 13 feet during Vissi's performance at Nicosia's GSP stadium. He also suffered multiple fractures to the ribs and chest when he slipped down a gap between the stands and the ground level at the venue, just before the start of Vissi's concert.

According to reports, Ladanyi's family is honoring his wish to donate his organs. "It was Greg's wish to donate his organs to help other people," a family representative announced. His lungs and his liver will reportedly go to transplant patients in the UK and Israel.

Friday's concert went ahead after Vissi visited the producer at Nicosia hospital. Vissi, who was extremely close to Ladanyi and was working with him on her second English-language album, said, "On Friday night, I lived through one of the strangest nights of my life -- the worst and most tragic of nights. Within a few seconds, my great joy and excitement at the prospect of performing for the first time in around four years in front of my compatriots was transformed into an unbearable drama."

Ladanyi worked on six albums with Jackson Browne, including his landmark 1977 disc 'Running on Empty,' four albums with Toto, three albums with Don Henley, including his 1984 bestseller 'Building the Perfect Beast,' and the Church's 1988 watermark 'Starfish'. He also helped produce Fleetwood Mac's 1990 record 'Behind The Mask' and had worked with Jeff Healey ('See the Light'), Jaguares ('Bajo el Azul de Tu Misterio') and most recently on Vissi's Greek album 'Apagorevmeno.'

During his career, Ladanyi earned 16 Grammy nominations, including being nominated for Producer of The Year for Henley smash 'The Boys of Summer.' He won the Best Engineered Recording -- Non-Classical Grammy in 1982 for Toto's 'Toto IV' album.

A memorial service in the US is being planned.

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13 Comments

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Ugo

Terrible news indeed. Jackson Browne immortalized him in the song 'Cocaine' (running on empty album) with a line 'Ladanyi came running in my hotel room, saying where is the C running round my brain'

October 19 2009 at 2:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MrsHubbyD

I did not know that either Squigly! Thanks!

October 01 2009 at 4:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sadgalinsd

Also-loved "Boys of Summer". Classic childhood song for me.

October 01 2009 at 5:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sadgalinsd

It's a shame that he died but at the same time it's wonderful-he's going to save at least two lives now. It's amazing how God works.

October 01 2009 at 5:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
stensticks

I was a huge Toto fan...his contribution to their records was monumental to their success, and this very talented man left a great legacy behind...I'm also 57, and to think how much left he had to give deeply saddens me, as well as how, where and when this horrible unfortunate accident happened...I pray that his family is comforted and surrounded by those that knew him and loved him...

September 30 2009 at 11:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
squiglysqoo

Just so all of you people complaining about Keonk and cougarchats2005 know, it is likely these are just spambots utilized to either advertise a website or pass around a link to a site containing some sort of malicious software...that means you are yelling at a computer that is automatically programmed to post what it does on regular comment streams. Save your breath because the computer will never answer you or listen to you. I highly doubt whoever programmed it will even actually read this article or the comments you all post on here. Just a heads up :)

September 30 2009 at 11:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to squiglysqoo's comment
Ron

I did not know that...Now I won't waste my time being pissed of at people whoe aren't even people...Thanks!

October 01 2009 at 12:09 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Meow

Denise, you are absolutely correct. This idiot is a total embarassment to the Internet community. I just recently started reading posts of news headlines which this moron has posted the Angelina Video on.
Actually, today when I flagged this post, it was immediately removed. Thank God. What a SH. This jerk seems to prey upon any entertainment news. What a shame to do that over news of other people's suffering. It is sad, really.

Meow

September 30 2009 at 9:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Denise

Keonk you are a sick person and quit posting this on the boards all the time. You are a pervert move on she is a grown woman with kids. Get a life already. Tired of seeing your same post about Anggie already. Stick to the topic. You are a lost soul or a stalker of this woman leave her alone. I am sure if you had a woman you would not like some jerk like you making these types of posts.

September 30 2009 at 8:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Denise's comment
Sandy

This idiot is all over the place. From what I have read, this supposed "link" about Ms. Jolie, is a VIRUS that will damage almost everything in your computer. Everyone, please beware of ANY link on a comment board!!

May Mr. Ladanyi R. I. P.
And how kind of him to make a donation of himself, so that others might live.

September 30 2009 at 11:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kim

RIP Greg, Thank you for donating your organs. God bless you and your family. That is just about the most un-selfish thing anyone could do. You have blessed many families. Rest well and may your loved ones be comforted knowing that they have given a gift to others.

September 30 2009 at 8:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
flat top

He produced some really good artists - may he RIP.

September 30 2009 at 8:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply