Legendary Producer Arif Mardin Dies

[Glen Livingstone]

I was sorry to hear about the passing of legendary producer and Atlantic Records executive, Arif Mardin.

Mardin, age 74, died Sunday. He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.

His contribution to music over the years was enormous.

He worked with artists like Aretha Franklin, The Young Rascals, Dusty Springfield, Hall and Oates, Bette Midler, Bee Gees, Roberta Flack, Barbara Streisand, Norah Jones and Jewel.

Mardin won numerous Grammy Awards, including producer of the year in 1975 and 2002. He retired in 2004.