The legendary producer Tony Visconti celebrates 81 today
Visconti first made a name for himself working with British artists like Tyrannosaurus Rex, producing their early albums and helping to shape their transition into glam rock icons and in 1969, he began a partnership with David Bowie that would span more than four decades, producing landmark albums such as “The Man Who Sold the World,” “Young Americans,” “Heroes,” and later “Blackstar,” Bowie’s final album
The legendary producer Tony Visconti celebrates 81 today
Tony Visconti was born Anthony Edward Visconti on April 24, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in a musical Italian-American family, he learned guitar, bass, and tuba as a child and played in local rock and jazz bands during his teenage years. After working as a session musician and arranger in New York, he moved to London in the late 1960s, a decision that would launch one of the most influential careers in music production.
Visconti first made a name for himself working with British artists like Tyrannosaurus Rex, producing their early albums and helping to shape their transition into glam rock icons T. Rex. His collaboration with Marc Bolan led to classic hits like “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” and cemented Visconti’s reputation as a master of lush, innovative soundscapes.
In 1969, he began a partnership with David Bowie that would span more than four decades, producing landmark albums such as “The Man Who Sold the World,” “Young Americans,” “Heroes,” and later “Blackstar,” Bowie’s final album released shortly before his death. Visconti’s other major credits include work with artists like Thin Lizzy, Morrissey, The Moody Blues, and Sparks, showcasing his versatility across genres.
Known for his technical precision, musicality, and ability to evolve with changing times, Tony Visconti remains one of the most respected producers in rock history, with a career that has helped define the sound of modern music.
Watch: Tony Visconti on David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy, The Harmonizer and More by Red Bull Music Academy
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