Bob Johnston, producer to legendary music icons Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Simon and Garkunfel passed away peacefully in a Nashville hospice, Aug. 14.
The Chronicler wrote in a report that friends of the deceased music icon were still talking eagerly to people a few weeks before he was confined in said hospice. It was Bob's wife that confirmed them of the 83 year-old's passing last Friday night.
The retired music producer rose to fame while working for Columbia Records in the '60s. Johnston was able to produce six albums for Dylan, seven for Cash, three for Leonard Cohen, three records for Simon and Garkunfel and four albums for Flatt and Scruggs, the Guardian recounted.
According to ABC News, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum editor Peter Cooper revealed to The Associated Press that Johnston was one of those who made an effort to open Nashville up to music as well as musicians from other places. Johnston brought Dylan's "Blonde Oh Blonde" and other two records to said state.
Johnston also made it possible for Johnny Cash to record "At Folsom Prison" in 1968 and "At San Agustin" the following year which Columbia strictly rejected in the beginning. The Rolling Stone narrated in an article how Johnston forged the album ahead by calling the warden at Folsom who answered in great disbelief after being informed of the Cash and Johnson's plan to record inside said prison.
Singer, songwriter and three-time Grammy-winning producer Joe Henry wrote in KQED that Johnston considerably contributed muh to the American music industry. He added that Johnston brought "durability to some of the most transformative American Music of the past five decades, framing the sounds and intentions of an era, enabling liberation for visionary artists" that are still paramount to the music industry today.
Fans of Johnston may read his journey as a producer here.
