Legendary rock producer Chris Tsangarides passed away early this morning (Sunday, January 7) after reportedly being taken ill at the start of the year. According to his daughter Anastasia Tsangarides, Chris was battling pneumonia and heart failure at the time of his death. He was 61 years old.
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The British Grammy-nominated record producer, sound engineer, and mixer is best known for his work with many heavy metal bands, including JUDAS PRIEST, ANVIL, GARY MOORE, THIN LIZZY, HELLOWEEN, ANGRA, ANTHEM, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and TYGERS OF PAN TANG. Tsangarides also worked with a number of pop and alternative artists, including DEPECHE MODE, TOM JONES, CONCRETE BLONDE and THE TRAGICALLY HIP.
Former BLACK SABBATH and WHITESNAKE bassist Neil Murray called Tsangarides “a lovely man and very talented.” He added that Chris will be “sadly missed by all who knew him, I’m sure.”
Scottish hard rockers THE AMORETTES also mourned Tsangarides‘s death, saying they were “utterly devastated” to hear about his passing. “Chris produced our ‘Game On’ album, the record that pretty much started us on this crazy journey,” they said. “Just as we are gearing up to release our newest album, we want to just send our love to all his family and friends. Chris, you were an absolute gentleman, and it was a pleasure. Rest in peace, dark lord.”
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Ex-TIGERTAILZ singer Kim Hooker said that Tsangarides “was a legend. The list of greats he worked with speaks for itself,” he wrote. “He was up there with the best of them. Above all, he was the one who guided me through my numerous mental episodes at the ‘Bezerk’ sessions. I love you, Sponka. RIP my dear friend.”
TYGERS OF PAN TANG wrote on Facebook: “The band are saddened by the news that legendary rock producer Chris Tsangarides has passed away… A true godfather in the rock music world and will be sorely missed. He worked on ‘Wildcat’, ‘Spellbound’ and 2012 album ‘Ambush’… The guys would like to send their deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
SAXON drummer Nigel Glockler said: “So very sorry to wake up to the news that Chris Tsangarides has passed. A truly fantastic producer and even better person.”
THIN LIZZY wrote in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of producer Chris Tsangarides who worked with the band on ‘Renegade’ and ‘Thunder And Lightning’. Our thoughts go out to Chris‘s wife Jane and family at this time.”