Tributes paid to 'legendary' music producer

Upper Basildon-based producer Martin Rushent, who worked with the Stranglers, Fleetwood Mac and Joy Division, has died at the age of 63

UPPER Basildon-based music producer Martin Rushent who was a prominent figure in pop music in the 1970s and 1980s has died.

The 63-year old, who worked with a string of leading artists through the decades including the Stranglers, Fleetwood Mac, the Human League, Joy Division, and Welsh diva Shirley Bassey and who was considered a legend in music circles, died on Saturday.

His son James, a guitarist with British electro rockers Does It Offend You, Yeah? who originate from Reading, led the tributes on his Twitter and Facebook pages.

A statement released by the band on its Facebook page said:“It is with great sadness that someone very close to us has passed away. Martin Rushent was not just James' dad, but also someone very involved with the shaping of DIOYY and countless other musicians he worked with. He had an amazing character and was great friend to all of us. Rest in peace, sitting at your mixing desk in the sky. x”

The music world has reacted with mourning as artists such as Midge Ure, the Infidels, the Buzzcocks and the Stranglers, and DJs, producers and thousands of fans have queued up to offer their condolences and celebrate the life of a man whose work in the 1980s helped shape a defining era for British music.

Basildon Primary school choirmaster Katy Arch said Mr Rushent was very supportive of the school and often provided equipment and services for school events.

“He very kindly offered the choir a once in a lifetime opportunity to provide backing vocals on Hazel O'Connor's Fear of flying – a song with poignant lyrics reflecting how Martin lived his life,” she said.

“Martin will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with Ceri, Amy and their family at this time.”

Mr Rushent moved to Upper Basildon in 2002, but had lived in West Berkshire since the 1970s.

By the start of the 1980s he had started a studio in Streatley called Genetic where he produced the dare album for the Human League, which includes the smash hit Don't You Want Me.

The album went triple platinum, selling over three million copies in Europe, and it won Mr Rushent a Brit award.

After taking time off in the mid 1980s to become a family man, he became active again in the early 2000s and created a state of the art studio at his Upper Basildon home, which he used to become active with many local artists.

Mr Rushent is survived by his wife Ceri, sons James and Tim and daughters Amy and Joanne.