Roger Nichols (recording engineer)

For other people with the same name, see Roger Nichols.
Roger S. Nichols
Background information
Birth nameRoger S. Nichols
Also known as"The Immortal"
Born(1944-09-22)September 22, 1944
Oakland, California, U.S.
DiedApril 9, 2011(2011-04-09) (aged 66)
Burbank, California, U.S.
GenresRock, folk, jazz, country, multiple others
Occupation(s)Recording engineer, record producer, inventor
Years active1963–2011
Websitewww.rogernichols.com

Roger Scott Nichols (September 22, 1944 – April 9, 2011) was an American recording engineer, producer, and inventor.

Nichols is best known for his work with the group Steely Dan and John Denver.[1] He was also the audio engineer for numerous major music acts including the Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Frank Zappa, Crosby Stills & Nash, Al Di Meola, Rosanne Cash, Roy Orbison, Cass Elliot, Plácido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Diana Ross, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Rickie Lee Jones, Kenny Loggins, Mark Knopfler, Eddie Murphy, Michael McDonald, James Taylor, and Toots Thielemans, among others. On February 11, 2012, Nichols was awarded a Special Merit/Technical Grammy Award, his eighth Grammy overall.[2]

In May 2010 Nichols was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. He died from the disease at his home on April 9, 2011.[1][3] In his subsequent New York Times obituary, Nichols was referred to in the headline as an "Artist Among Sound Engineers."[4]

The Roger Nichols Recording Method, his guide to audio engineering, was released by Alfred Music Publishing on June 17, 2013.[5]

  1. ^ a b Cromelin, Richard (April 13, 2011). "Roger Nichols dies at 66; engineer gave Steely Dan its distinctive sound". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  2. ^ "ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, GLEN CAMPBELL, ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM, GEORGE JONES, THE MEMPHIS HORNS, DIANA ROSS, AND GIL SCOTT-HERON HONORED WITH THE RECORDING ACADEMY® LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, STEVE JOBS AND RUDY VAN GELDER HONORED WITH TRUSTEES AWARD CELEMONY AND ROGER NICHOLS TO RECEIVE TECHNICAL GRAMMY AWARD®". 21 December 2011. Archived from the original on 16 April 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  3. ^ Morris, Christopher (April 10, 2011). "Roger Nichols, music engineer, dies". Variety. Retrieved April 10, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ Sisario, Ben (April 17, 2011). "Roger Nichols, Artist Among Sound Engineers, Dies at 66". The New York Times. Retrieved April 22, 2011.
  5. ^ Nichols, Roger (June 2013). The Roger Nichols Recording Method: A Primer for the 21st Century Audio Engineer (Book & DVD-ROM) [Paperback]. Alfred Music. ISBN 978-0739095058.