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Roy Thomas Baker, the influential music producer renowned for his work on iconic rock tracks like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” passed away at the age of 78, as announced by his family on April 22.
Baker breathed his last on April 12 at his residence in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The details surrounding his death have not been disclosed.
Throughout his prolific career spanning over five decades, Baker collaborated with a wide array of prominent rock artists, including Journey, Yes, Foreigner, The Cars, Alice Cooper, Cheap Trick, Devo, Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, and Smashing Pumpkins. He was instrumental in the production of five albums for Queen during the 1970s, most notably on the groundbreaking single “Bohemian Rhapsody” from their album A Night at the Opera. This track is recognized as one of the most-streamed songs of the 20th century, making a remarkable impact when it peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 after its resurgence due to the 1992 film Wayne’s World.
Baker was born in Hampstead, London, in 1946, beginning his journey in the music industry as a second engineer under notable producers Gus Dudgeon and Tony Visconti at Decca Records. By the 1970s, he advanced to chief engineer and eventually relocated to Trident Studios, where he began his significant work with Queen. His reputation led Columbia Records to ask him to move to the United States to engage with bands like Journey.
Reflecting on their collaboration, Journey’s guitarist Neal Schon noted, “We did [1978 album] Infinity with the infamous Roy Thomas Baker. We explored many creative avenues on that record that I had never attempted or even considered before. I learned a great deal from Roy.”
Elektra Records introduced Baker to a range of artists including Lindsey Buckingham, Dokken, and The Cars, for whom he produced their first four albums between 1978 and 1981, solidifying his status as a leading figure in the industry.
Both “Bohemian Rhapsody” and The Cars have been recognized with inductions into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Recording Registry, honoring their contributions to musical history. Additionally, Queen’s A Night at the Opera, which features “Bohemian Rhapsody,” has received a distinct recognition from the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Baker is survived by his wife, Tere Livrano Baker, and his brother, Alan Baker, leaving behind a legacy that deeply influenced the trajectory of rock music.
Source
www.billboard.com