Gary Peterson (record producer)
Encyclopedia
Gary Peterson is an American record producer. He is probably best known as the creator of Golden Throats
. Peterson and partner Pat Sierchio produced four volumes of the series for Rhino Records, which collect bizarre examples of celebrities singing pop music classics.
Peterson began as Rhino's first dedicated editor, researching, proofing and overseeing all the information printed on their audio releases, and is credited for embellishing packages with original recording and release information (and often full discographies) in the burgeoning days of the reissue business. He worked for Rhino Entertainment
and the Warner Music Group
from 1984 to 2004, and eventually produced a number of reissues and compilations of artists such as Todd Rundgren
, Warren Zevon
, Little Feat
, Fleetwood Mac
, Captain Beefheart
, Devo
, The Spinners, Tower Of Power
, Chicago
, The Doobie Brothers
, Michael McDonald
, Carly Simon
, Linda Ronstadt
, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Edgar Winter
, Gary Wright
, Lee Michaels
, Cactus
, Poco
, Tommy James & The Shondells
, and Sammy Davis Jr. Besides Golden Throats
, he co-produced other "various artists" collections, such as the Poptopia series which anthologized "power pop
" music, and the Supernatural Fairy Tales: The Progressive Rock Era boxed set. Examples of his exhaustive vault research can be found in Little Feat's Grammy-nominated boxed set Hotcakes & Outtakes and the reissue of Waiting For Columbus
, as well as the expanded reissues of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours
and Tusk
(which AMG noted as "one of the finest expanded reissues of a classic record yet released.").
Golden Throats
Golden Throats is Rhino Records' series of humorous compilations of critically lambasted cover versions of songs, performed mostly either by celebrities known for something other than musical talent or musicians not known for the genre from which the song they are covering comes...
. Peterson and partner Pat Sierchio produced four volumes of the series for Rhino Records, which collect bizarre examples of celebrities singing pop music classics.
Peterson began as Rhino's first dedicated editor, researching, proofing and overseeing all the information printed on their audio releases, and is credited for embellishing packages with original recording and release information (and often full discographies) in the burgeoning days of the reissue business. He worked for Rhino Entertainment
Rhino Entertainment
Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company. It is owned by Warner Music Group.-History:Rhino was originally a novelty song and reissue company during the 1970s and 1980s, releasing compilation albums of pop, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues successes...
and the Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
from 1984 to 2004, and eventually produced a number of reissues and compilations of artists such as Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren
Todd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop-wunderkind, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972, Todd Rundgren's career has produced a diverse range of recordings...
, Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon
Warren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
, Little Feat
Little Feat
Little Feat is an American rock band formed by singer-songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist Lowell George and keyboardist Bill Payne in 1969 in Los Angeles....
, Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
, Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
, Devo
Devo
Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
, The Spinners, Tower Of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The group has sold over 40 million units worldwide throughout their career. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.-Original incarnation:...
, Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald (singer)
Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan...
, Carly Simon
Carly Simon
Carly Elisabeth Simon is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work...
, Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Edgar Winter
Edgar Winter
Edgar Holland Winter is an American musician. He is famous for being a multi-instrumentalist. He is a highly skilled keyboardist, saxophonist and percussionist. He often plays an instrument while singing. He was most successful in the 1970s with his band, The Edgar Winter Group, notably with their...
, Gary Wright
Gary Wright
Gary Malcolm Wright is an American musician, best known for his song, "Dream Weaver". He was the piano player on Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You".-Early life:...
, Lee Michaels
Lee Michaels
Lee Michaels plays the Hammond organ, piano, and guitar , and is best known for his 1971 Top 10 pop hit single, "Do You Know What I Mean."-Career:...
, Cactus
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...
, Poco
Poco
Poco is an Southern California country rock band originally formed by Richie Furay and Jim Messina following the demise of Buffalo Springfield in 1968. The title of their first album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, is a reference to the break-up of Buffalo Springfield. Highly influential and creative,...
, Tommy James & The Shondells
Tommy James & the Shondells
Tommy James and the Shondells are an American rock and roll group whose period of greatest success came in the late 1960s. They had two No. 1 singles in the U.S. — "Hanky Panky" and "Crimson and Clover" — and also charted 12 other Top 40 hits, including five in the top ten: "Crystal...
, and Sammy Davis Jr. Besides Golden Throats
Golden Throats
Golden Throats is Rhino Records' series of humorous compilations of critically lambasted cover versions of songs, performed mostly either by celebrities known for something other than musical talent or musicians not known for the genre from which the song they are covering comes...
, he co-produced other "various artists" collections, such as the Poptopia series which anthologized "power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
" music, and the Supernatural Fairy Tales: The Progressive Rock Era boxed set. Examples of his exhaustive vault research can be found in Little Feat's Grammy-nominated boxed set Hotcakes & Outtakes and the reissue of Waiting For Columbus
Waiting for Columbus
Waiting for Columbus is the first live album by the Southern roots-rock band, Little Feat. The album was recorded during seven performances in 1977. The first four shows were held at the Rainbow Theatre in London on August 1-4, 1977. The final three shows were recorded in George Washington...
, as well as the expanded reissues of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours
Rumours
Rumours is the eleventh studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Largely recorded in California during 1976, it was produced by the band with Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut and was released on 4 February 1977 by Warner Bros. Records. The record peaked at the top of both the...
and Tusk
Tusk (album)
Tusk is the 12th album by the British/American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Released in 1979, it is considered experimental, primarily due to Lindsey Buckingham's sparser songwriting arrangements and the influence of punk rock and New Wave on his production techniques...
(which AMG noted as "one of the finest expanded reissues of a classic record yet released.").
External links
- The Sad Sounds Of Singing Actors
- Covers By Unlikely Big Stars Is An Album So Bad, It's Good
- A Hit Parade: When Capt. Kirk Took On The Beatles
- Album Brings Back Highly Brittle Star Trash
- The Singer, Not The Song, Makes 'Golden Throats'
- Voices That Shatter Class
- Torched Songs
- Star Dreck
- Celebs Make World's Worst Rock Album!
- Some Unlikely Crooners Have Made Recordings That Have Turned Into Very Entertaining Collectibles
- Country Music Is The Prey
- Ahhh, Bad Music. There's Nothing Like It
- These Beatles Covers Are Forgettable Camp
- Songs In The Key Of...What?
- Celebs Should Have Confined Singing To Shower