Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie and Eric Clapton producer Mike Vernon dies aged 81
The blues champion produced Fleetwood Mac's legendary 'Albatross' single
Last updated 18 hours ago
Distinguished record producer and British blues champion Mike Vernon, who worked with a wide array of artists including John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Focus, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie and Eric Clapton, has died aged 81.
Breaking the news of his passing, Mike Vernon’s family said: 'To the world, he was a passionate champion of the blues and a legendary record producer who helped shape so much incredible music.
'But to us, he was also our dad, a brother, an uncle, a grandpa and partner — our steady guide, our storyteller, and our biggest supporter.
'We will miss him beyond words, but his music, his spirit, and his love will stay with us always.'
Born in Harrow, Middlesex on 20th November 1944, Mike Vernon started working at Decca Records as a teenager, and he produced John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers’ influential debut album ‘Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton’ in 1966.
He also co-founded the record label Blue Horizon Records with Neil Slaven in 1965, and throughout it released many seminal tracks throughout its six years of existence, including the Vernon-produced Fleetwood Mac classic ‘Albatross’.
Mike helmed David Bowie’s self-titled debut album in 1967, and produced Fleetwood Mac’s first two records ‘Fleetwood Mac’ and ‘Mr. Wonderful’ on the late 60s.
He retained a close working relationship with members of Fleetwood Mac, producing Christine McVie’s debut solo album ‘Christine Perfect’ and Peter Green’s first post-Mac release ‘The End of the Game’ in 1970.
Mike also produced Dutch rock band Focus, and most notably their defining and enduring anthem ‘Hocus Pocus’.
Other artists Mike worked with throughout his storied career included Robben Ford, Edwin Starr, Level 42 and Chicken Shack, and he was also a member of Rocky Sharpe and the Replays.
In 1971, Mike and his brother Richard opened famed Chipping Norton Recording Studios in Oxfordshire.
Throughout its 28 years of existence, numerous hit singles were recorded at the studios including Radiohead’s ‘Creep’, Status Quo’s ‘In The Army Now’, the Proclaimers’ ‘I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)’ and Gerry Rafferty’s ‘Baker Street’.
Mike Vernon was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to music.
RIP Mike Vernon.