Legendary recording engineer Bruce Swedien has died, his daughter, musician Roberta Swedien, confirmed on Facebook. He was 86.
“He had a long life full of love, great music, big boats and a beautiful marriage,” she wrote. “We will celebrate that life. He was loved by everyone.”
The five-time Grammy winner is best known for recording and mixing Michael Jackson‘s best-selling solo albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. He also recorded Michael’s albums Dangerous, HIStory, and Invincible.
Swedien chronicled his time spent with Michael in a book, titled In the Studio with Michael Jackson (pictured top). No one spent more time with Michael at the peak of his recording career.
Swedien began working with Michael and Quincy Jones (right) on the soundtrack to The Wiz in 1978. Swedien and Jones are pictured together onstage in 2015.
Swedien began recording professionally at age 21. Early in his career he recorded legendary artists such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Dinah Washington.
After working with Quincy and Michael on The Wiz soundtrack, Jones asked Swedien to collaborate with Michael on his debut solo album Off the Wall in 1979.
Jones remembered his friend in a tribute post on Instagram:
“There are not enough words to express how much Bruce meant to me… I’m going to miss your presence every single day “Svensk”, but I will cherish every moment we shared together laughin’, lovin’, livin’, & givin’… Rest In Peace my brother.”
