Martin Birch passed away today at the age of 71. The news was announced by the legendary Deep Purple and Whitesnake , David Coverdale , via his social media:
"It is with a heavy heart that I have just confirmed that my dear friend and producer Martin Birch has passed away… Martin was a huge part of my life… He helped me from the first time we met until Slide It In … My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans."
Information regarding the cause of death has not yet been released.
Birch accumulated numerous important and little-known moments throughout his career. One of them happened in 1986, when he was given the difficult task of informing Bruce Dickinson that the 3 songs he had composed for Somewhere In Time would not be included on the album.
The Englishman, born on December 27, 1948, worked as a sound engineer or producer on an endless list of legendary albums. Highlights include:
1981 – Killers (Iron Maiden)
1982 – The Number of the Beast (Iron Maiden)
1983 – Piece of Mind (Iron Maiden)
1984 – Powerslave (Iron Maiden)
1985 – Live After Death (Iron Maiden)
1986 – Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden)
1988 – Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Iron Maiden)
1990 – No Prayer for the Dying (Iron Maiden)
1992 – Fear of the Dark (Iron Maiden)
1980 – Heaven and Hell (Black Sabbath)
1981 – Mob Rules (Black Sabbath)
1970 – In Rock (Deep Purple)
1971 – Fireball (Deep Purple)
1972 – Machine Head (Deep Purple)
1972 – Made in Japan (Deep Purple)
1973 – Who Do We Think We Are (Deep Purple)
1974 – Burn (Deep Purple)
1974 – Stormbringer (Deep Purple)
1975 – Come Taste the Band (Deep Purple)
1979 – Lovehunter (Whitesnake)
1980 – Ready an' Willing (Whitesnake)
1980 – Live… in the Heart of the City (Whitesnake)
1981 – Come an' Get It (Whitesnake)
1982 – Saints & Sinners (Whitesnake)
1984 – Slide It In (Whitesnake)
1975 – Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (Rainbow)
1976 – Rising (Rainbow)
1978 – Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (Rainbow)
In addition to the albums mentioned, Martin Birch has worked with other major rock and heavy metal artists such as Jeff Beck , Fleetwood Mac , Ronnie James Dio , Jon Lord , and others.
Wikimetal , and wishes that Martin Birch's family and friends may find comfort during this difficult time.
