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Rock Producer Geoff Workman Dead
- Posted on Feb 1st 2010 11:00AM by John D. Luerssen
Geoff Workman, the producer and engineer responsible for such classic rock albums as Queen's 'Jazz,' the Cars' 'Candy-O' and Motley Crue's 1983 breakthrough 'Shout at the Devil,' has died, according to Classic Rock. Workman, who manned the boards on a long run of multi-platinum-selling rock albums, passed at home, although little else is known about his illness or death.
Michael Riesenbeck, a session guitarist and friend of Workman's reportedly broke the news via Facebook. "Guys, we lost Geoff Thursday morning," he wrote. "He was at home, in his bed and it was peaceful. We will be making funeral arrangements early this coming week. It has been rough. Please pass this on to anyone who knew him or loved him."
Workman's resume also includes three Journey albums ('Infinitiy', 'Departure', 'Evolution'), the Cars' eponymous 1978 debut and Foreigner's 1979 offering 'Head Games.' After working with Motley Crue, Workman helped craft another heavy metal favorite with the release of Twisted Sister's 1984 breakthrough 'Stay Hungry.'
Workman began his production career in 1970 when he worked as the tape operator on King Crimson's 'Lizard.' He also contributed to recordings by a variety of other artists, including Toto, Jason and the Scorchers and Drivin' and Cryin', among others.
Michael Riesenbeck, a session guitarist and friend of Workman's reportedly broke the news via Facebook. "Guys, we lost Geoff Thursday morning," he wrote. "He was at home, in his bed and it was peaceful. We will be making funeral arrangements early this coming week. It has been rough. Please pass this on to anyone who knew him or loved him."
Workman's resume also includes three Journey albums ('Infinitiy', 'Departure', 'Evolution'), the Cars' eponymous 1978 debut and Foreigner's 1979 offering 'Head Games.' After working with Motley Crue, Workman helped craft another heavy metal favorite with the release of Twisted Sister's 1984 breakthrough 'Stay Hungry.'
Workman began his production career in 1970 when he worked as the tape operator on King Crimson's 'Lizard.' He also contributed to recordings by a variety of other artists, including Toto, Jason and the Scorchers and Drivin' and Cryin', among others.
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Geoff and Roy Baker made some great bands sound even greater. Queen and Journey's sound were the best of the 70's and those productions stand the test of time.
I would like to say thanks to Geoff for steering my musical influential years to the best bands on the planet.
I didn't know Geoff Workman, but I love Journey and Foreigner...whatever he did to make good music tells me he was a pretty cool dude. May he RIP.
August 14 2011 at 5:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Tim Ray
1 reply to Tim Ray's comment
One can never forget Geoff. We spent many hours together in Memphis and Atlanta. Geoff touched many lives and brought us enjoyment (and stories) for generations to come. It was an honor to have worked so cosely with him. I regret losing touch over the years.
November 03 2010 at 2:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI'm amazed by how many great records Geoff either produced or engineered, why doesn't he have a wiki page. Can this be rectified? Tim? email me at PeteBennellSmith@btinternet.com
March 24 2013 at 10:49 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Tommy Harrison
Geoff was a huge mentor in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was the inspiration for me to grow from recording artist to producer/engineer, and he was in many ways my hero.
RIP my old friend
Brion
Hey Krissy, I got to work with Geoff a few times at Avalanche Studios in Denver. What a guy - never a dull moment - learned some amazing tricks from him! - I am now in Nashville and just found out about him today - so sorry for this great loss!
February 18 2010 at 5:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Mark Kelley
1 reply to Mark Kelley's comment
Geoff was my Brother-in-law for about 10 years ..years ago. He was a very gifted man and treated my sister well! He recorded two different band that I was in and it was the pinnacle of my career! Killian Dare and Logan were the bands and it goes without saying he gave us a awesome sound! We loved, laughed, and even cried a few times. You will be missed "Big Guy"!
February 12 2010 at 12:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Jeff Wells
hey Mark, just learned of Geoff's death today from Brian Baker (from my studio, Sound Arts Recording) where you and Workman and bandmates recorded! wow, that was awhile ago! So sad to hear the news, I hope you are well. Where and what are you guys doing now?
June 01 2010 at 12:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
angela
Hi Krissy!
I am in Dallas.
angelalamar@execs.com
Griffin
Loved just about every record he ever touched.
Solid Gold.
Shine on Geoff
angela
1 reply to angela's comment
This is worth sharing:
Geoff's "devil music" once got me kicked out of a Tulsa evangelist's home in 1979, exiled as their house-guest! I then joined a teen age art movement at my local university, where the THE CARS pumped sound to inspire our energetic painting studio of upper class-men. We played them so reverently through hi-fidelity (Bang and Olfusen turntable, Paradym speakers) equipment that one could hear them underwater from the backyard pool during summer breaks. That's the year I learned that "bong water" should be two words ( and the CIA had magic toes in the foothills of Colombia). Of course I discussed my 1.0 American children at their subliminal encouragement-- of course, I raised her alone when I came to my senses later..LOL. Even later, sent the little genius to Yale University... and then to Harvard Medical School, where the by-product of a generation's creative experimentation committed herself to the humanistic cause of healing others as a doctor.
Moral of the story: Miracles happen in strange ways sometimes. And sound lives on. And on..
Krissy Workman
You go girl! That sounds wonderful; I'd love to speak with you in person. Email me for phone. We're putting together audio of Workman's friends' recollections. Are you in Nashville?
Regards,
Krissy
dani harrison
1 reply to dani harrison's comment
I worked with Geoff in the early 90's and he will be deeply missed. His storytelling was always unmatched. I will probably always remember him going to bars with me and saying "I'm the most famous MF in this bar, and nobody knows it!"
February 01 2010 at 5:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Otto D\'Agnolo
I worked at The Recording Workshop for a number of years. I had the pleasure of spending time with Geoff when he'd come to be a guest speaker. His work was incredible and he was a lot of fun to be with. I know he'll be missed by the whole gang that worked there in those days.
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