Rockers Steve Lukather, Chad Smith and Peter Frampton have joined Queen star Brian May in paying tribute to late music producer and studio engineer Andy Johns, who died on Sunday (07Apr13).

Johns, who worked with artists including Rod Stewart, Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin, and recorded the Rolling Stones' Exile On Main Street album at Keith Richards' mansion in the South of France in the early 1970s, was beloved throughout the music industry and tributes continue to pour in.

In a Twitter.com post, Slash calls Johns "one of the great engineer/producers of our time", while former Van Halen star Michael Anthony, who worked with the music mogul, adds, "Words cannot express my sadness... Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing and working with Andy, you know what I'm saying. I loved you brother."

And L.A. Guns leader Tracii Guns declares, "Whatever it was that Andy brought to the table, it didn't exactly matter because he possibly just simply had a 6th sense for making a recording undeniably comfortable to listen to... I am very hurt and sad that Andy Johns is dead."

Meanwhile, Red Hot Chili Peppers star Smith claims Johns "made some of my favorite all-time records", and Toto's Lukather adds, "Very sorry to hear about the loss of an old friend and legend Andy Johns... Rip Andy."

Frampton recalls working with the producer/engineer on the first two Humble Pie albums, stating, "So many other amazing sounding records were recorded/produced by Andy. My thoughts are with his family... We will all miss Andy. Rip."

May was one of the first stars to offer up his thoughts and feelings following news of the producer's death. The guitarist tweeted, "Ouch... So sad to hear of the passing of Andy Johns... great record producer. Lovely guy - patient, skilled, funny, encouraging, sharp... all the qualities you want in someone who is getting your music on to tape... He went on to become one of the very top rock producers in the world. Condolences to all the family. Andy was such a great guy."