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Music academic's work with Bowie inducted into GRAMMY Hall of Fame
Each year recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of eminent and knowledgeable professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by The Recording Academy's National Board of Trustees. With 25 new titles, the Hall, now in its 44th year, currently totals 1,038 recordings.
The 2017 titles also include Elvis Presley’s Jailhouse Rock, Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit, and the Beach Boys’ I Get Around. You can listen to the full list on Spotify.
Speaking about the honour, Ken said: “I of course have to say that having David Bowie’s Changes, being my first co-production, inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame, is extremely gratifying, but what really makes this one more important to me than my previous four is that it is inducted along with Elvis’s Jailhouse Rock, the record that got me into rock and roll and into what was to become my amazing life.
“Working with David was everything one can imagine. Fun, important and something I am extremely proud of. We both took a chance on each other and it proved to be the best decision either of us could make.”
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organisation of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers, and recording professionals dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers.
Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, said: "The GRAMMY Hall Of Fame represents all genres of music, acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which The Academy has become renowned. Memorable and inspiring, these recordings are proudly added to our growing catalogue and are an integral part of our musical, social, and cultural history."
Ken joined Leeds Beckett as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Film, Music and Performing Arts in September 2015, bringing with him 52 years’ experience and a reputation as one of the best in the recording industry. He has been a major contributor to the sale of over 250 million LP/CD sales.
Beginning at the age of 16, working in the tape library at Abbey Road studios, Ken worked his way up to the position of assistant engineer in a short space of time. His first session was on side two of the Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and eventually took over the helm as recording engineer on ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ and the ‘White’ album. He has worked with a host of other big names in popular music, including Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, the Hollies, Procol Harum and many more.
After moving to Trident Studios he received three GRAMMY nominations for best engineered pop album, a Clio Award for ‘I’d like to buy the world a Coke’, and millions of record sales with artists such as Elton John, George Harrison, Harry Nilsson and America. Ken’s move into music production led him to have more artistic involvement in his work, leading to millions of sales worldwide and more GRAMMY nominations for artists like Supertramp. His previous GRAMMY Hall of Fame recordings are: Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side, and the albums All Things Must Pass (George Harrison), The Beatles’ White Album, and Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie).