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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 ZLEVINE, Larry(b 8 May 1928, NYC; d 8 May 2008, Encino CA) Recording engineer who helped Phil Spector invent his 'wall of sound' pop technique. He grew up in Los Angeles, served in the US Army in the Korean War, and learned recording from his cousin, Stan Ross, who was co-owner of Gold Star Recording Studios in Hollywood. He met Spector in the 1960s, who told him about a sound in his head that he wanted to create.Their first collaboration was on 'He's a Rebel' in 1962, bringing stardom to the girl group, the Crystals, just as 'Be My Baby' soon did for the Ronettes. Levine recorded such Spector-produced classics as 'Da Doo Ron Ron' and the Righteous Brothers' 'You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling', cited by BMI as the most played song in the history of USA radio. In an interview with the Associated Press Levine said that Spector's sessions began with a few guitar players but would eventually involve dozens of instruments, including pianos. Session guitarist Carol Kaye recalled people packed into the studio shoulder-to-shoulder for Ike and Tina Turner's 'River Deep -- Mountain High' in 1966. Levine also worked with Eddie Cochran, the Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, Wings, the Carpenters, Dr. John, and Herb Alpert. He won a Grammy for best engineered recording for Alpert's Tijuana Brass hit 'A Taste of Honey' in 1965. |