Photo by Frank Beacham
Hal Willner was born 65 years ago today.
Willner was a music producer working in recording, films, TV and live events. He was well known for assembling tribute albums and events featuring a wide variety of artists and musical styles (jazz, classical, rock, Tin Pan Alley). His first tribute album was Amarcord Nino Rota in 1981.
In the late 1970s, he worked under record producer Joel Dorn, credited as Associate Producer on Leon Redbone's albums, Double Time and Champagne Charlie, and The Neville Brothers,' Fiyo on the Bayou.
Willner was music supervisor of Saturday Night Live from 1981–1990, occasionally returning in subsequent years. He was also a producer of the TV program, Sunday Night, hosted by David Sanborn.
Willner produced albums for Marianne Faithfull, Lou Reed, Bill Frisell, William S. Burroughs, Gavin Friday, Lucinda Williams, Laurie Anderson and Allen Ginsberg. He produced a live tribute concert to Tim Buckley, that ultimately launched the career of Tim's son, Jeff.
He has released one album under his own name: Whoops, I'm an Indian, which featured audio samples from 78 rpm records from the early-mid 20th century.
In January, 2010, Willner produced the pirate-themed concert event Rogue's Gallery for the 2009 Sydney Festival.
The multinational cast included Marianne Faithfull, Todd Rundgren (who had contributed to Willner's Thelonious Monk tribute album), Tim Robbins, Gavin Friday, Peter Garrett, Baby Gramps, David Thomas, Sarah Blasko, Katy Steele, Peaches, Glenn Richards, Liam Finn, Camille O’Sullivan, Kami Thompson and Marry Waterson.