Critically acclaimed and award-winning producer John Hampton has passed away due to complications of cancer, aged 61. Hampton died on Friday, 12th December leaving behind an impressive legacy that included work with acts such as The White Stripes, The Replacements, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Ultimate Classic Rock reports Hampton was inspired to work at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee after learning that Led Zeppelin‘s third album was mixed there. He was hired in 1977 and eventually became a part-owner over his almost four decades with the studio.
Towards the tail end of his 40 year career, Hampton developed an affinity with Jack White, working with all three of White’s bands The Dead Weather, The Raconteurs, and The White Stripes.
Hampton’s mixing efforts on The White Stripes fifth studio album Get Behind Me Satan earned him a Grammy in 2006 for ‘Best Alternative Music Album.’ Hampton said working with White took him back to his early days as an engineer.
“Jack, without even knowing it … made me remember the way we used to work it when I first started,” Hampton told the Memphis Commercial Appeal (via Diffuser). “Working with analog tape and eight tracks, doesn’t leave you a lot of options, so you got to commit on the spot.”
Our thoughts go out to Hampton’s surviving friends and family.
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