Bruce Fairbairn
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Bruce Earl Fairbairn (born in Vancouver, Canada on December 30, 1949, died May 17, 1999) was a music producers who was prominent during the 1980s and 1990s, producing songs for bands such as Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and Loverboy.
[edit] Career
[edit] Early career
He learned to play the trumpet as a child and as a teen appeared in local R&B groups. While he was a member of Prism he won three Canadian Juno "Producer of the Year" awards for his work on their 1980 album "Young and Restless". Loverboy's self-titled debut LP launched the international hits such as "Turn Me Loose" and "The Kid Is Hot Tonite." His work for Blue Öyster Cult (1983's Revölution by Night) and Krokus (1984's The Blitz) made him a well-known hard rock producer. In 1986 he produced Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet, which sold over 12 million copies.
Together with protege Bob Rock, Fairbairn established Vancouver's Little Mountain Sound. His next major production, Aerosmith's 1987 "Permanent Vacation", generated a series of hits including "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)", "Angel", " and "Rag Doll".
Fairbairn also produced Aerosmith's follow-up, 1989's Pump, which had sales in excess of seven million and was widely acclaimed by critics. AC/DC's "The Razor's Edge" followed in 1990, as did Poison's Flesh and Blood. In 1993, he produced Aerosmith's commercial smash Get a Grip which racked up sales of seven million and made the band international stars. Next, he produced the Scorpions, Jackyl, and in 1995 produced Van Halen's Balance. In late 1996, early 1997, Bruce produced INXS's "comeback" album Elegantly Wasted that garnerned mixed reviews, but at least obtained sales that were higher than previous albums. A year later, Fairbairn produced the Cranberries (To the Faithful Departed), Psycho Circus, and the reunited KISS in 1998. His last finished cd was The Atomic Fireballs Torch This Place on Atlantic Records.
[edit] Death
After wrapping up sessions for a forthcoming release from Yes (The Ladder), on May 17, 1999 he was found dead in his Vancouver home. He was married with Julie and had three sons (Scott, Kevin and Brent). A memorial was held for Fairbairn at the Chan Center and was attended by more than 300 people. "A Celebration of the Life of Bruce Earl Fairbairn" was highlighted by reminiscences from close friends, as well as musical performances from Jon Anderson and Steve Howe of Yes, Tom Keenleyside, David Sinclair and a moving version of "Taps" played on Bruce's trumpet by his son Brent.
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