Shel Talmy, Producer for The Who and The Kinks, Dies at 87

11/15/2024 06:39 PM

Talmy was known for his work with '60s British rock bands and produced hits including "You Really Got Me" and "My Generation"

Shel Talmy, the music producer known for his collaborations with rockstar bands like The Who and The Kinks, has died. He was 87.

According to a report from Sky News on Friday, Nov. 15, Talmy's collaborator Alec Palao, confirmed that he "died peacefully in his sleep" at his Los Angeles home on Wednesday from complications related to a stroke.

Members of the record producer's team confirmed the news in a post on his official Facebook page, writing that Talmy "has left the building."

"We will have more information, and links to obituaries, shortly," the post reads, "but most importantly we want you to know that Shel thought the world of you, his FB followers and supporters, and to that end, some time ago he prepared the following statement that he would like shared now - preferably with 'You Really Got Me', 'My Generation', 'Friday On My Mind' or your choice of favorite ST production cranked in the background)."

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In the same post, his team shared a posthumous message written by Talmy, that began with the musician thanking his followers and fans for reading his many stories shared on social media over the years.

"Please note, that if you're reading this now, this is my final vignette, as I am no longer residing on this plane of existence, and have moved on,' to wherever that may be," he wrote in the post.

Talmy continued: "I'd like to think there is something beyond where I was to where I am now, assuming that the millions of suppositions as to what is next, are accurate. I'd like to think that I'm thoroughly enjoying my new 'residence,' and that the countless rumors that there is a big working 'studio in the sky' are true, and that we are, dare I say, making heavenly music!"

"I am also hoping that I am currently engaged in renewing relationships with a ton of friends and acquaintances, many of which go back for decades. I've had a good run, and I am delighted it lasted as long as it did. I'm also delighted that I am told I have a legacy that will last even longer," he said.

Talmy concluded, "I look forward to meeting some of you in the future who are reading this, but LOL, don't hurry to get here, I'm not going anywhere!"

Born in Chicago in 1937, Talmy moved to England in 1962 and got his first big break in music when he landed a job at Decca Records by claiming he had worked with the Beach Boys, per Sky News.

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Talmy found success working with many British rock bands of the decade, including The Who and The Kinks. He produced dozens of their hits, including "You Really Got Me," "Tired Of Waiting For You," "Sunny Afternoon" and "Waterloo Sunset." Later on, he took on The Who's "My Generation" as well as tracks for artists including David Bowie and Australian group The Easybeats.

Palao told Sky News that "Shel Talmy was truly a one-off."

"Even the briefest survey of the most essential pop and rock recordings of the 1960s would need to include something Shel produced," he said. "And that in itself is an incredibly meaningful legacy."

Variety reported that the producer is survived by his wife, Jan Talmy, his brother, his daughter and his granddaughter.