A Tribute to Producer Martin Birch (1948-2020)

[@Avalk9724]

Martin Birch was The Very Best Producer for me. He produced about 80% of my favourite albums. R.I.P. Martin.

[@jeffmcpeek2526]

As a late bloomer here(49),I'm discovering how much of a complete BEAST Mr.Birch was.As soon as I start to explore different music,the artists start kicking the bucket.....

[@terryjohnson5275]

Great tribute Pete and such a sad day - as Bruce Dickinson wrote in his autobiography - on page 101 - Martin's philosophy was that the producer is a mirror who reflects the artist in the best way to let their message, their sound, come through' - when asked what if the band is shit he repied 'I dont do shit bands. Great other stories about his alter ego 'Marvin' as well. Growing up, his name on the credits would be a guarantee that the album by whoever was going to sound good. So many great albums that he worked his magic on.

[@grahamtaylor8912]

Is that the book What does this button do?

[@terryjohnson5275]

@@grahamtaylor8912 Yes

[@grahamtaylor8912]

@@terryjohnson5275 I was looking at that book yesterday in the shop. Might grab it.

[@grahamtaylor8912]

@Flat Earth Florida Yeah that doesnt sound like anything I want to read about either , Think I will stick with the history of iron maiden documentaries on KZbin. thanks.

[@grahamtaylor8912]

@Flat Earth Florida Best music documentaries I have ever seen.

[@jimmylovelady4740]

RIP Martin Birch. Black Sabbath "Heaven and Hell and "Mob Rules" are just brilliant.

[@brycetalksmetal]

A ton of great albums... Somewhere in Time is my favorite that he produced. RIP Mr. Birch

[@dwade6322]

Mine too ! Up the Irons !!

[@captainbeyond7469]

R.I.P. Martin a true legend. His legacy will live on.

[@anthonyvincent7581]

Made in Japan is the best produced live album I have ever heard, Rest in peace Martin.

[@ponytrekker9315]

Martin birch didn’t have to do much with made in Japan album it was purely live.. Best producer and engineer

[@deepzepp4176]

Pony Trekker Just because it’s live, doesn’t mean an engineer or producer, doesn’t have much to do.

[@ponytrekker9315]

Deep Zepp I agree, I was just making a statement on how great that Album is..

[@deepzepp4176]

Pony Trekker Fair enough. Didn’t make much sense though.

[@metal-adventures-joerg]

The best Producer ever!!!! RIP Martin!!!! "Life down here is just a strange Illusion".....

[@enjois5464]

if martin is remembered for one album, it will be, made in japan , the greatest live album ever, the power and the bass he got from those recordings, it blows yer socks off , RIP, thank you martin,

[@stevetobin7495]

I was only thinking the other day why there hasnt been a documentary on this legendary producer.. arguably the greatest of all time.

[@aleksandarfrick2656]

Brian Eno is best producer ever . Then Quincy Jones . And George Martin .

[@ponytrekker9315]

We’re talking about the hard rock heavy metal genre he produced & engineered.

[@bak-mariterry9143]

@@aleksandarfrick2656 You forgot Tom Dowd.

[@Donnie_Thornberry]

Probably the greatest heavy metal producer definitely!

[@garyjoyce2160]

I knew last night PETE would definitely do MARTIN justice! Great 👍 job as usual. LEGENDARY albums 💯 he produced. RIP

[@diannecarpenter7718]

Thank you for your Tribute to Producer Martin Birch (1948-2020). Wow!! Martin Birch produced, worked with alot of great bands and recordings! 🎤🎸🎵🥁

[@micolsen8895]

My favorite producers: Martin Birch and George Martin. R.I.P. gentlemen. Thanks, Pete.

[@martymartin2894]

The greatest of all time rip Martin birch. And with all the funny nicknames he had on numerous album credits. It seems he was quite a character aswell.

[@sidneyeubanks2201]

R.I.P. He was one of the all time great producers! He made those bands from Deep Purple, Iron Maiden mega superstars ! He will be missed.

[@LuisGarcia-ee2tr]

Great tribute to the best producer of all time, maybe. Purple, Sabbath, Rainbow and Maiden. Huge classic albums that are very difficult to match. R.I.P. martin Birch

[@ryangioia2358]

RIP Martin Birch. Thanks for producing some of the best albums in music history

[@andreaconsonni2828]

Another era is over....producing is an art exactly like playing. Your work will last forever... just like the music we love. Thanks Peter. Andrea

[@johnbenard9550]

Very very sad news indeed. Martin was one of the best. He was engineer and producer on 2 of Blue Öyster Cults best albums! Cultosaurus Erectus and Fire of Unknown Origin. RIP Martin Birch.

[@NP-ip3nj]

Black Sabbath, BOC, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, Wishbone Ash. Martin Birch had a big impact on the stuff that I liked.

[@GBCR]

LOL I love your logo! Same bands I like!

[@JW-zs1pz]

Absolutely love this man. He produced a lot of the albums I love!!! Great Producer!!!! RIP Martin Birch

[@aliyagci796]

Martin Birch was the greatest producer of all time! My absolute favorite albums are produced by him: Heaven and Hell, Rising, Fire of the Unknown Origin, Machine Head and of course all the Iron Maiden albums. He will be very much missed! Rest in peace Martin, we won't forget the amazing work you've done!

[@laurenzgraffilpenstein8117]

Don't forget Made in Japan

[@aliyagci796]

@@laurenzgraffilpenstein8117 Another great record for sure!

[@grahamtaylor8912]

His CV was mind blowing.

[@aliyagci796]

@@grahamtaylor8912 Exactly!

[@Elsior]

Martin Birch was a colossus. RIP

[@TeethLikeKnives]

Definitely my all time favorite producer. That run he had from Rainbow to Sabbath to Maiden alone was incredible.

[@drummusicinc4027]

Thanks for this, Pete.... he was behind the board for my favorite albums by Deep purple, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Iron Maiden, Whitesnake and many more. RIP Mr. Birch🎶🍺❤️

[@jerryattwooll4864]

Arguably had as much influence on the development of Classic hard rock and heavy metal music as any musician in the genre. So many of the albums I love have been produced by Martin. RIP.

[@badmotorfinger2206]

I'm shocked , the Man who worked on so many of my absolute favorite Albums of all time ! Hallowed be thy Name Rest in Peace Mr. Martin Birch

[@jameshunter7303]

Nice tribute Pete. Martin meant so much to so many and it’s heartbreaking losing these people but his legacy will remain. Thanks again

[@rolandmarckwort]

RIP Martin - a true visionary of sound and production, and capturing the artists essence.

[@mikewhiteley641]

R.I.P. Martin was on board for all of Deep Purple's 70s albums and was there for the creation of one of rock's most famous riffs. I hope Jon Lord is sharing a drink with an old friend.

[@janhendrikbouman]

Unbelievable how many unforgettable albums Martin Birch was involved in!

[@gregberry1812]

Martin literally produced the soundtrack of my life.

[@LuisGarcia-ee2tr]

Great words !!!!!

[@robertshort5935]

I think it would be safe to say before Janick Gers came along Martin Birch was the sixth member of Iron Maiden. He was lucky enough to retire at a relatively young age...43! RIP and thank you for all those classic recordings!

[@nebod1556]

It's not good for your health to retire early...

[@sherryraisbeck9547]

Great tribute...I learn so much from your show.

[@ramonace4770]

Half of my life's soundtrack was produced by Martin Birch. Sad day.

[@beboprichie]

Well said my friend......Ditto

[@cornerstoneinme]

Fireball, In Rock, Burn Rising, Long Live Rock`n`Roll, Heaven and Hell, Ready an Willing, Cultösaurus Erectus, Fire Of Unknown Origin all belong to the absolute best albums for me. I´ve been Birched!

[@popculture70]

RIP Martin and thanks for everything. You absolutely rocked!!!

[@shaunogle530]

Heartfelt tribute. Few of us at an early age thought much about the team behind the team (band) . You only have to read the tributes pouring in today to realise how important someone like Martin is to what we finally get to put on our turntable, streamer disc player. RIP.

[@interstellaroverdriven6450]

What an icon - so many greats that he produced but his work on 'The Mob Rules' gives me chills every time I hear it - the electronics, the haunting gothic background vocals, big rich guitar sounds, etc. A timeless classic indelibly stamped with his massive contribution.

[@johnkatsoudas4767]

I agree!!!! The sound on The Mob Rules is amazing! It sounds so different than the other albums that Martin Birch produced and engineered. In my opinion he is the greatest producer and engineer ever.

[@elinino5275]

It's is very dark. But am I the only one who thinks Dio's voice is very low. Very different from Heaven and Hell

[@ricklabonte4144]

Great tribute Pete...you definitely highlighted some of his best work. Well done. He is worthy of the praise. He left us with an amazing body of work. He is one of my favorite producers.

[@iloveheavymetalmetalrules6829]

I dislike people that disliked this tribute. FOR GOD SAKE PEOPLE! why would anyone dislike this. It really annoys me.

[@rightchordleadership]

Some people dislike videos just to be annoying. They’re sad and petty.

[@CB-xr1eg]

They possibly do it simply to get a response like the one from you?

[@kevinismawayoflife4660]

Don’t waste your time on those people brother.

[@ModernDayWarrior2112]

How could anyone dislike Pete? He’s such a cool knowledgeable guy.

[@iloveheavymetalmetalrules6829]

@@ModernDayWarrior2112 Right!

[@Footjones]

An absolute icon. As a kid buying these albums, I had no clue what a producer was, never crossed my mind. Years later, I look at some of my favorites from the 70s and 80s and chances are Mr. Birch was part of it. He will be missed. Thank you, Pete, for your wonderful tribute.

[@martenjonsson3066]

Wow, what a catalogue Martin Birch was involved in! So many of my favourite albums are right in there. Well presented, Pete and RIP Martin!

[@PvtGrips-vh7ti]

One of my first album purchases was Powerslave back in '85 and remember first seeing his name. I was hooked for life! RIP Martin "Pool Bully" Birch!

[@brucefranklin6295]

When I found out Martin passed away yesterday, I thought that you might do a show acknowledging his influence and talent. Excellent engineer and the kind of producer that a band really wants to work with.He enhanced the best of bands and never made the production about himself. I have admired his work for decades.

[@kevinmcguigan6345]

Martin "The Wasp" Birch left a legacy of excellence. His ability to guide and capture a bands sound and essence is timeless. He certainly left a mark on my life and I thank him for his contributions to some of my favorite music of all time.

[@richb6291]

Brilliant tribute Pete - Martin was such a superb producer - I was reminiscing over all those wonderful albums you mentioned that he produced - I was back enthused as when I first heard them. Listening to Iron Maiden and Rainbow Rising on my long journey home yesterday - Martin captured such live energy and feel on all those albums along with a sonic thump -Cozy Powells drums never sounded so good . Thanks Pete A1 . RIP Martin.

[@johnmichaelwilliams6694]

Pete - a touching and informative tribute to a person that had an influence on some favorite albums. Thanks to your show, now I know more and just how far reaching that influence extended. Thanks, Pete! So glad to have found SoT during the past several months.

[@mattiparker14]

While enjoying your excellent tribute,to ‘the wasp’....,Pete, I realised why I was repelled so much by rock in the late 80s...especially Whitesnake 87 album...(I know it’s a fav of yours Pete!)...it’s the cheesy production.Growing up with Purple,Sabbath,Rainbow,Whitesnake an Gillan,and seeing them live every year an picking up there music was a treat.There is no coincidence when Martin retired,the British rock sound changed.Always thought he had the right balance between blues rock an heavy rock sound.For me Mr.Birch was a no cheese please producer...and what a choice of album to enjoy....Fireball,Rising an H&Hell are lined up for a blast today.Keep up the fine work Pete👍........Matti from Liverpool

[@arbonne1805]

Spot on, mate. I just realised the same thing.

[@andrecito55]

Dear Pete. hello from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Still fighting here with the pandemic. Five months ago I became aware of your videos, and turned to see them every day. So I consider you a friend from far away. I´m a Hard Rock, Prog Rock and Jazz Rock Fusion guy, no much Heavy metal (I´m 64 years old, ha ha) Thank you for the excellent work. Wonderful Martin Birch tribute.

[@2kmetalhead]

Sad loss. I love his production on the two BOC records: Cultosaurus Erectus and Fire of Unknown Origin. Both are great records and among my favorites. He produced a lot of classic metal and rock albums. A legend, for sure. RIP.

[@grahamtaylor8912]

Brilliant albums.

[@johnmcgowan770]

My first connection with the name Martin Birch was when I became a Groundhogs fan.What he brought out of those records was true magic and he went on to do the same for many others already listed here.Thank you Martin for being there.You made an important mark on music and an important mark on my life for giving those great records you either produced or engineered the character they would have otherwise of been without.Rest in peace

[@WarpedRecord]

This channel is the CNN of classic rock. Thanks so much, Mr. Pardo, for reminding us of what a great talent we lost. These are some of the finest albums ever, and Mr. Birch made this a better world with his appreciation of musicianship.

[@steelerfreak1977]

RecordWarped don’t insult Pete like that.

[@biorythmicshifter]

His work with Maiden is without peer. Live After Death is still my favorite sounding live album easily holding up to this day...

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Thanks Martin and Pete, for another great show. R.I.P. Martin thanks for everything

[@archie6962]

”Produced by Martin Birch” a quality stamp !

[@abe3802]

Because of him I started to pay attention who was in the producers chair. What would hard rock/metal be without him. Hard to beat his CV.

[@jerryattwooll4864]

Absolutely correct.

[@shaunsmith3538]

The guy was a legend! In fact, if I saw the name 'Martin Birch' on the back of an LP I'd buy it even if I didn't know much about the actual band! 👍

[@GardettoJones]

Rest well, good sir. "Produced by Martin Birch" His name is on so many of my all-time favorites. So many in fact, I do believe that his production style was a much bigger influence than I had realized. When you talk about capturing the "essence" of a band, that's EXACTLY what he did. Though I was into doing weird experimentation, it was the band's very "essence" I was always after when I'd do a recording job; if you've got that and you captured it well, you've got a great representation of a band and you can do pretty much anything. One of the best, thanks for all the great sounds!

[@LuisGarcia-ee2tr]

Great words !!!!!

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Thanks for all you did for British Rock music.

[@philly4762]

Fantastic tribute Pete. What a legacy Martin leaves behind. So many of the records he worked on are a huge part of my life. A sad day. RIP

[@davidholtz7860]

My musician friends and I always talked so highly of Martin Birch back in the 80's when we were teens and since then. He was the common denominator to all the classic albums that I grew up listening to. Sad to here of his passing, but he will always be revered. Martin the Master! Well done! Cheers!

[@markgray3648]

If I list my 10 all time favourite albums, Martin Birch will have produced over half of them. Another great lost. RIP Martin.

[@marcdewey1242]

71 is still young RIP to one of the greatest producers ever.

[@aloscalzo2112]

Best hard rock producer ever - RIP. All of his recordings are timeless

[@shannonbiggers3312]

Thanks for this. R.I.P. to the Legend.

[@jacquelinec.6785]

Great Mind • Great Producer • To label Martin Birch brilliant would be a definite understatement • RIP Martin

[@user-eb8mi3xi5f]

Thanks for producing those amazing albums, Martin. RIP.

[@SwanShadow]

As a Blue Öyster Cult fan, I immediately thought of two of my favorite BOC albums: Cultosaurus Erectus and Fire of Unknown Origin. Martin Birch's approach cut through the technology and brought forward the very best in the band. A tremendous legacy in music.

[@Stryperdrive]

Nicely done, Pete... A wonderfully fitting tribute to a great album producer & engineer, Martin Birch. For all of the Maiden and early Whitesnake albums of my youth: his name was practically synonymous with those bands.

[@bridges4232]

Number of the beast is maybe the best produced metal album of all time. RIP

[@ronbartkowiak3459]

Excellent tribute to a tremendous talent and influence on some of my favorite music. Gone too soon. Rest in rock heaven.

[@martyc2637]

No excesses a great way to describe his style. A master of the subtle touch but capturing the essence of the band.

[@gordy3714]

Inside Iron Maiden's Live After Death LP, Martin Birch recording thoughts on Deep Purple Made in Japan, and for me the rest is history. Fine tribute Pete.

[@mikeryanmikeryan4740]

Hi Pete. Great Tribute to Martin Birch. He Produced/Engineered a lot of albums that had an emotional effect on me since my teen years and forward.

[@mikechapman1102]

What a Legend, great show Pete. He would be proud of your tribute. R.I.P.

[@robmlisanti]

Great Tribute Pete..i can feel the emotions as you spoke about Martin and his contribution to the Metal /Rock Community The sound of my youth was formed by his production and engineering of many many classic albums that we loved ...a real loss to the Music industry May He be in Peace.... Long live Rock n Roll! \m/

[@neugey]

A Martin Birch album *always* retains that clean, organic, analog sound no matter how you are listening to it (vinyl, cassette, CD, stream) and no matter what your headphones or speaker system is like. Other producers have used that approach, but Martin was the originator. Rest in power.

[@kenangurabija]

You only heard 2 albums he produced???

[@danielcarlson7002]

RIP Martin Burch. You produced some albums that have blessed our ears for decades. EVERYTHING’S half-thawed or half-baked nowadays.

[@danielsultimaterockmetal9363]

Great tribute Pete. I wish someone like yourself did an interview with him before he passed to talk about that fantastic discography

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

Yes...that would have been amazing.

[@michaelvrckoff6966]

Sad day in music today Martin produced alot of my favourite albums rip Martin you willbe missed but not forgotten

[@larsnilsson8949]

Very sad when I heard of Martin Birchs passing away. R.I.P. Martin Birch and thank you for everything you´ve done.

[@peterichards3261]

A true legend. Extraordinary producer and engineer. The credit to him on the In Rock album...for Martin Birch... catalyst. RIP Martin Birch

[@kevinmcguigan6345]

Amazing how many CDs you had to pull to celebrate Martin's life. He truely has his stamp on so many classics

[@kevinmcguigan6345]

Pete you'll be putting those CDs away for an hour

[@misbwb]

Did you notice on each Whitesnake album it always said something like “produced by a Martin “basher” Birch for sunburst records and “You”? It was different on each album. Love your videos and look forward to them.

[@tanaayotte]

Very sad to hear. Great tribute Pete.

[@nelsono4315]

a legendary figure in the music business

[@ulfbrommelhorster8958]

Especially the Rainbow Rising Album produced by Martin Birch is probably one of the best rock albums of all time. I am very glad to own the original concert poster of the gig in Düsseldorf / Germany on the 27th of september 1976,. The concert was released on the album "Live in Germany 1976" a couple of years ago. Magical Ronnie James Dio !

[@kaosmonger73]

Beautiful tribute to my favorite engineer/producer. RIP

[@carlosmedigovich8774]

Thanks Pete, Great homage to Marvelous Martin Birch forever 💜

[@spike3505]

Wow, I honestly hadn't realised he was so prolific and not only that, to be able to form such relationships with the bands that he worked with them for the majority of their recording careers. A fantastic, informative retrospective, thank you so much!!

[@craiganderson6880]

Great tribute!

[@71relayer]

good ol Pete you looked quite emotional there! isn't music just the best thing ever?love your vids mate

[@garyunsworth726]

Martin was a massive part of my life growing up listening to these amazing albums he produced, God bless you Martin RIP

[@Hentarded]

Incredible amount of music he helped to produce. Truly unbelievable how much music was created because of him.

[@keithshapland903]

A legend indeed and great tribute Pete..Practically all the bands i love the most have had Martin Birch produce them at some point. I was listening to the 7" single of Fleetwood Mac's Green Manalishi only few days ago....Producer, Martin Birch..what a sound he got from them. RIP that man!

[@independenceltd.]

Birch is definitely my favorite producer/engineer. Too many great, great, great albums to say otherwise. RIP.

[@GravyDaveNewson]

great choice of shirt Pete. Rising was the top of the pile. R.I.P. The Wasp

[@MrUnmutual2014]

One of the legendary producers. Always imagine if Iron Maidens debut was done by him. Apparently he would have done it but Steve Harris was to nervous to ask.

[@stephenrace7976]

Great tribute show for the great Martin Birch...he was also one of my favorite producers and engineer for some amazing albums by some amazing bands...he will be sadly missed...the world of rock will never be the same...by the way I also own every single cd album of every band and album that you showed and talked about...great tribute show Pete💥

[@yankeefan1208]

A behind the scenes legend who will truly be missed