American producer and musician BARRY BECKETT has died, aged 66.
He passed away at his Hendersonville, Tennessee home on Wednesday (10Jun09). He had previously been diagnosed with cancer and suffered a number of strokes.
Beckett's career kicked off in the 1960s and he worked with stars including Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon during his lengthy music career.
He was a member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, and helped found the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 1969. His work with the group, also known as the Swampers, was honoured when they were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame last year (Oct08).
Beckett went on to work for Warner Brothers Records as an A&R country music director but left to work independently.
Country star Kenny Chesney - whose first two albums, In My Wildest Dreams and All I Need To Know, were produced by Beckett - has paid tribute to the late musician.
He says, "He taught me, inspired me, made me reach for more. He was one of the first to ever believe in a kid from Knoxville, Tennessee who used to sit out in the backyard in the middle of the night and stare at an open sky, knowing that there was something more. I loved him.
"I will take Barry everywhere! I always have and I always will. He taught me to put a smile in everything. That's important in life and especially to those of us who have music in our lives, who are consumed by it. My life is consumed by it and Barry Beckett is to blame and I am forever grateful!"
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