Phil Ramone, the music producer and engineer who helmed classic albums by Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Billy Joel and many others over a career that stretched back to the early 1960s, died at age 79 on Saturday in a New York hospital. The reaction of those he worked with and many more who admired his career was felt on social networks throughout the day.
“Phil Ramone was a lovely person and a very gifted musician and producer. It was a joy to have him work with me in the recording studio on so many projects as he had a wonderful sense of humor and a deep love of music,” wrote Tony Bennett in a statement posted on Facebook. “Phil had the admiration and respect from everyone in the entertainment industry and his passing is a great loss.”
Other musicians weighed in on Twitter:
RIP Phil Ramone. Legendary producer. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to work with him.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) March 30, 2013
Sending prayers &good thoughts 2the loved ones of our dear friend & colleague, the unequaled,Phil Ramone.RIP,friend,we will miss u always!
— Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) March 30, 2013
R.I.P. #PHILRAMONE we have lost one of music’s greatest producers. a true pioneer and a great man.
— Rob Thomas (@ThisIsRobThomas) March 30, 2013
Today the music business and the world lost a music icon in Phil Ramone. I am honored that I had the (cont) tl.gd/n_1rjgi8p
— Matthew Morrison (@Matt_Morrison) March 30, 2013
I’m filled with sadness at the news of Phil Ramone’s passing. He was a great friend and made music the right way.
— josh groban (@joshgroban) March 30, 2013
RIP Phil Ramone.Brilliant generous talented man. Shaped and changed recorded music-left trail of inspired people.
— benjamin folds (@BenFolds) March 30, 2013
This is really tough news today, I lost a really wonderful and sweet friend today, the legendary record producer Phil Ramone.
— Mark O’Connor (@markoconnor35) March 30, 2013
Listening to Big Shot by Billy Joel in honor of Phil Ramone and also my behavior last night.
— John Gallagher, Jr. (@JohnGallagherJr) March 30, 2013
Music has lost one of it’s greatest stewards. RIP Phil Ramone
— HANSON (@hansonmusic) March 30, 2013
Just found out legendary producer Phil Ramone passed away – cant believe it – we lost a great talent -thankfully the music will live on
— Earl Klugh (@earlklugh) March 30, 2013
Oh wow….Phil Ramone. Rest In Peace
— JamesPoyser (@jamespoyser) March 30, 2013
I had the honor of working with Phil Ramone on August Rush. Wonderful man. Oh, and in my stack of 10 fave albums, he did most of them. #54F
— John Ondrasik (@johnondrasik) March 30, 2013
I’m deeply saddened to hear the news of my dear friend & First Ever Producer, Phil Ramone’s Passing… My Heart,… fb.me/2a4798P6A
— Julian Lennon (@JulianLennon) March 30, 2013
‘my friend ,mentor and one of music Greats has passed- PHIL RAMONE a GENTLE LOVING SOUL flowing with Great Wit and Wisdom -RIP WITH LOVE
— Robert Davi (@RobertJohnDavi) March 30, 2013