Tommy wasn’t a ‘car guy’, but he loved nice
cars. Tommy Lipuma is however, a legend in the music industry, and he was a
dear friend.
Tommy died in New York last Monday, in
hospital with his wife Gill with him. He was 80, but what a lifetime. He
received 33 Grammy nominations; won five Grammys; and as a record producer sold
73 million records worldwide.
I first met him in New York in 2000, and
for the next six years we would regularly meet up for lunch in New York, at one of his
many favourite restaurants, and chat about ‘music stuff’. I attended recording
sessions with him, and loaned he and Gill a couple of Bentleys for their annual
driving holiday in the Berkshires of Massachusetts.
Other music industry friends will tell his
story more fully than I can; but you will know his work, producing records for
artists like George Benson, Diana Krall, Michael Franks, Al Jarreau and Paul
McCartney.
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| Tommy Lipuma, Paul McCartney and Tommy's long time engineer, Al Schmidt |
We were together quite often, and I reveled
in being close to such a great talent, a humble man, and a wonderful husband
and father. Especially hearing stories about his musical adventures with some of the greatest artists in the world.
I have only a single photo of us together, when one winter day I drove out to his new house, being built in upstate New York, where he planned
to spend time with Gill away from the bustle of the Big Apple.
Tommy came from a wonderful Italian family
in Cleveland, and his easygoing manner and happy smile made him great company. I
am overwhelmed with sadness that the world has lost someone so special. Ciao
Tommy.
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