Talk:Record producer/Archives/2014

Notable record producers

Would anyone feel terribly hurt if I completely revised the list of notable record producers which concludes this article? Two halves 06:19 Feb 17, 2003 (UTC)

Depends on what you do with it. There's a definite falling off after the first dozen names, but that's what always happens to Wikipedia lists, unfortunately. John Hammond practically invented record producing and invigorated popular music for 40 years; some other guy produced albums for Radiohead. Ortolan88

The number of things which I think would appropriate to do with the list is three: 1. Completely remove the list, as I see a great dislike for lists among some Wikipedians. 2. Keep the list, but remove the annotations. If someone is notable, it is already likely that there is (or should be) an article on that person. Annotations are not a good substitute for an article, IMHO. 3. Keep the list as is, and let someone else worry about it.

Direct your opinions below. Two halves 05:46 Feb 22, 2003 (UTC)

I'd say keep a list of some kind on the page. It could certainly be narrowed down a little though, if it bothers people (I've only heard of one of the last four names listed, for example.) People like Hammond, Sam Phillips, Buddy Holly, George Martin, Phil Spector, T-Bone Burnett, and a few others should be listed I'd say.. they are certainly some of the most famous record producers in music history. I think they're worth pointing out to the poor soul that doesn't know what a record producer is. -Jazz77

Lists are a useful form of organization in an on-line reference work. They perform an indexing function. If you see a reference to record producer in one place, it helps you find other record producers. The lists are much more useful if they are annotated, particularly if there is no article on the person. Also, the annotation helps gauge the relative impact of the person. They aren't meant to substitute for the article, but if there is no article, they help.

The only drawback is that less important people clutter up the lists. See List of novelists for an example. On the other hand, where would you go to find a novelist? If you went there, you'd at least know whether there was an article, what language they wrote in, and, if annotated, a little snippet of something about them.

I love lists, even if it means that they get long. The only method of control is to find a list from some outside body, the Record Producers Hall of Fame, and use that as the source of the list. See List of songwriters/temp2 and its talk page for some efforts along these lines. Ortolan88 06:07 Feb 22, 2003 (UTC)

First, a big thank you to all who commented. For O., I completely agree with you that lists are a useful form of organization in an on-line reference work. I have edited a couple of these lately (punk cities and power-pop bands). I should have mentioned a fourth option to move the list of notables to its own article, which would help with the length problem that over 125 years of recorded music is likely to produce. I also agree that there needs to be some standards to what will go on that list, otherwise producers who are known, but not necessarily notable, like Kenny Laguna or Martin Hannett, or those you don't associate with record production (like Joan Jett or Geddy Lee) will make the list. Two halves 06:40 Feb 22, 2003 (UTC)

Just to throw another wrench in the machine, the line between the producer and the recording artist is blurry in some fields (i.e. electronic music and hip hop). Tuf-Kat (( Goa Trance ))

"User:Valje Mali"

I think the list is un-save-ably POV and should me moved here. See Talk:String quartet. We do have List of record producers. Hyacinth 05:54, 13 May 2004 (UTC)

Perhaps it should be a short list of 'historically important' record producers. That is, a producer who's work changed the way music was/is produced. EG George Martin, Phil Spector. Iain 00:44, 4 Sep 2004 (UTC)

Hmmm... How about Quincy Jones? This is not a "special wish" of mine, then I would have added few more, but this is definitely someone that has influenced music in a big way, had great comercial success in the past and is still a big figure/icon in the world of music. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Cocaine42 (talk • contribs) 17:20, 27 January 2007 (UTC). Valje Mali

Hello. I would find it helpful if the roles of executive producer, producer and assistant producer were clarified. Thank you.