Andy Johns Dies At 61

Rolling Stones engineer Andy Johns has died at the age of 61. Johns, who also helped produce Led Zepplin, died at the hospital on Monday.

Johns’ death was confirmed by guitarist Stacey Blades, who was collaborating on a project with him when he passed away. Blades stated of the engineer and producer’s death:

“Andy’s health wasn’t all that great over the last six months or so, but he was still Andy. When I got the call yesterday I was shocked.”

No cause of death was given for Andy Johns, the younger brother of Glyn Johns and uncle of Ethan Johns. However, Blades did say that his friend was hospitalized with liver problems.

Tributes toward Andy Johns immediately followed the announcement of his death on several social media sites. Eddie Kramer, who produced and engineered Led Zeppelin and Kiss, among several others, wrote of Johns:

“I am deeply shocked to hear of the passing of a dear friend and fellow producer/engineer who had fantastic ears and was a member of a special club of guys who were raised and taught the ‘right way’ by the best British engineers. The records he made were some of the greatest in rock and roll.”

Along with being the primary engineer for most of Led Zeppelin’s output, Johns also helped out with the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers,” “Exile on Main Street,” and “Goats Head Soup.” He also produced Van Halen’s “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.”

Blades added of his friend and co-worker:

“It was just amazing to watch him work, and how he would place mics in the recording room, and his ideas while you’re tracking. I learned a lot from him, he was inspiring and taught me so much about sound and thinking outside of the box.”

Blades and other musicians who worked with Andy Johns are planning a memorial concert for him in May.