Shel Talmy, a music producer known for his collaborations with rockstar bands such as The Who and The Kinks, has died. He was 87 years old.
According to a Sky News report on Friday, November 15, Talmy’s associate Alec Palao confirmed that he “died peacefully in his sleep” at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday from complications related to a stroke.
Members of the production team confirmed the news in a post on his official Facebook page, writing that Talmy had “left the building.”
“We will have more information and obituary links soon,” the post read, “but most importantly, we want you to know that Shel was thinking of you, his FB followers and supporters, and to that end, he prepared the following statement some time ago which would like to share now (preferably with ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘My Generation’, ‘Friday on My Mind’ or your choice of favorite ST production playing in the background).”
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In the same post, his team shared a posthumous message written by Talmy, which began with the musician thanking his followers and fans for reading his many stories he’s shared on social media over the years.
“Please note that if you are reading this now, this is my last vignette, as I no longer live on this plane of existence and have moved on, wherever that may be,” he wrote in the post. Talmy continued, “I’d like to think there’s more to it than where I’ve been to where I am now, assuming the millions of assumptions about what’s next are correct. I’d like to think I’m thoroughly enjoying my new ‘abode’ and that the countless rumors that there is a great working ‘studio in the sky’ are true and that we, dare I say it, are making heavenly music!” “I also hope I did. I’m currently working on reconnecting with a bunch of friends and acquaintances, many of whom go back decades, and I’m glad it lasted as long as it did. I’m also thrilled to be told I have a legacy that will last even longer,” he said.
Shel Talmy in September 1973.
TPLP/Getty
Talmy concluded, “Looking forward to meeting some of you reading this in the future, but LOL, don’t rush 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 got a job at Decca Records claiming to have worked with the Beach Boys, according to 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.” He later covered The Who’s “My Generation” as well as songs for artists including David Bowie and Australian group The Easybeats.
Palao told Sky News that “Shel Talmy was truly unique.”
“Even the briefest overview of the most important pop and rock recordings of the 1960s should include something produced by Shel,” he said. “And that in itself is an incredibly significant legacy.”
Diversity announced that the producer left behind his wife Jan Talmy, brother, daughter and granddaughter.
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