|
Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZVISCONTE, Tony(b 24 April '44, NYC) Producer based in UK. Played guitar in schoolboy bands; picked up double bass, backing acts like Tony Bennett, Milton Berle; cut demos with wife as Tony and Sigrid and RCA put out harmony pop singles, but he became A&R man. He arranged a Georgie Fame session for Denny Cordell, came to England to arr. and prod. for him; worked with the MOve, Procul Harum, Joe Cocker. First "solo' prod. was Tyrannosaurus Rex; through that met David Bowie, prod. Bowie tracks that only saw light on later anthologies, plus LPs Space Oddity (except title track), The Man Who Sold The World; oversaw development of Rex to electric rockers T-Rex, and relationship with Marc Bolan was compared to that of George Martin with the Beatles. Had prod. folk- rockers the Strawbs; prod. Mary Hopkin led to second marriage. Folk artists Tom Paxton, Ralph McTell came to Visconte for clear, simple sound. Reputation for handling unusual, temperamental acts led him to Afro-rockers Osibisa, progressives Gentle Giant. Shortlived label Good Earth (named after studio) incl. his own (unreleased) LP, artists like Hopkin, Judy Tzuke. Linked again with Bowie from Diamond Dogs onwards; other acts incl. heavy metal (Thin Lizzy) to new wave (Boomtown Rats, Hazel O'Connor, Photos, Stranglers). Own LP Viconte's Inventory '77. |