Music producer Hal Willner , one of the creative minds behind the album Lulu , a collaboration between Metallica and Lou Reed in 2011, passed away last Tuesday, the 7th, due to complications from the novel coronavirus. He was 64 years old.
Upon hearing the news, Metallica released a statement lamenting the loss and paying tribute to their colleague: "He was a true collaborator, someone who, through his unique combination of musical knowledge, strengthened every project he touched," the band wrote.
Drummer Lars Ulrich added to the statement: “I will always hold in high regard the time I spent with Hal in those inspiring and collaborative environments we had. He was a communicative, open-minded and kind person, and, as Lou's right-hand man, he was essential in bringing the Lulu to life. I will never forget him.”
Willner was also part of the music department for the Saturday Night Live program and produced other albums such as Lost in the Stars: The Music of Kurt Weill (1985), Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films (1988), and Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys (2006), to name a few.
See Metallica's full statement regarding Hal Willner's death below.