Peter Collins (record producer)
Encyclopedia
Peter Collins is a record producer, born January 15, 1951, in London
.
In 1976 Collins was signed to Magnet Records
and formed a group called Madison, along with Ziggy, Peter Spooner and Page 3 girl Cherri Gilham
, to perform his pop song "Let It Ring". The record was a minor chart hit.
Collins formed a production company with Pete Waterman
and his early credits as a producer included producing the first two albums for The Lambrettas
and their chart hit "Poison Ivy". He moved to the US in 1985 to produce Rush
, first working on Power Windows
(1985) and then Hold Your Fire
(1987). Known at the time as a pop producer, he brought a more heavily synthesized sound to Rush.
He then produced Queensrÿche
albums, Operation: Mindcrime
and Empire. Rush later invited Collins back to produce Counterparts
(1993) and Test for Echo
(1996), and in both cases he emphasized a return to Rush's heavier rock sound. For a time, Collins was referred to as "Mr Big".
He has also produced records for Alice Cooper
, Bon Jovi
, Suicidal Tendencies
, Indigo Girls
, Jane Wiedlin
, October Project
, the Cardigans
, and Tracey Ullman
.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
In 1976 Collins was signed to Magnet Records
Magnet Records
Magnet Records was a record label started in 1973 by Michael Levy and acquired by Warner Bros. Records in 1988 for an estimated £10m.Artists on the label included Alvin Stardust, Matchbox, Adrian Baker, Silver Convention, Guys 'n' Dolls, Darts, Kissing the Pink, Bad Manners, David D'Or, Blue Zoo...
and formed a group called Madison, along with Ziggy, Peter Spooner and Page 3 girl Cherri Gilham
Cherri Gilham
Cherri Gilham , also known as Cheryl Gilham, also known as Cherry Gilham is a former comedy actress, who was one of the first Page 3 Girls and is now a writer and musician.- Modeling and acting career :...
, to perform his pop song "Let It Ring". The record was a minor chart hit.
Collins formed a production company with Pete Waterman
Pete Waterman
Peter Alan Waterman OBE is an English record producer, occasional songwriter, radio and club DJ, television presenter, president of Coventry Bears rugby league club and a keen railway enthusiast. As a member of the Stock Aitken Waterman songwriting team he wrote and produced many hit singles...
and his early credits as a producer included producing the first two albums for The Lambrettas
The Lambrettas
The Lambrettas were an English mod revival band, active in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Named after the iconic Italian Lambretta scooter brand popular among Mods, the band was formed in Lewes...
and their chart hit "Poison Ivy". He moved to the US in 1985 to produce Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, first working on Power Windows
Power Windows (album)
Power Windows is the 11th studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1985. Power Windows was the first Rush album to be produced by Peter Collins and the album was recorded at The Manor in England, Air Studios in Montserrat and at Sarm East Studios in London.Power Windows introduced more...
(1985) and then Hold Your Fire
Hold Your Fire
Hold Your Fire is the 12th studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released in the fall of 1987 . The album was recorded at The Manor Studio in Oxfordshire, Ridge Farm Studio in Surrey, Air Studios in Montserrat and at McClear Place in Toronto.Rush continued to explore new songwriting...
(1987). Known at the time as a pop producer, he brought a more heavily synthesized sound to Rush.
He then produced Queensrÿche
Queensrÿche
thumb|250px|right|Queensrÿche's classic line-up performing at the [[Sauna Open Air Metal Festival]] 2011 in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]. Left to right: bass Eddie Jackson, lead vocals Geoff Tate, drums Scott Rockenfield and guitars Michael Wilton....
albums, Operation: Mindcrime
Operation: Mindcrime
Operation: Mindcrime is a concept album by American progressive metal band Queensrÿche. Released on May 3, 1988, it is the band's third full-length album. A rock opera, its story follows a man who becomes disillusioned with the society of the time and reluctantly becomes involved with a...
and Empire. Rush later invited Collins back to produce Counterparts
Counterparts (album)
Counterparts is the fifteenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1993. It became Rush's highest charting album in the US, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200...
(1993) and Test for Echo
Test for Echo
Test for Echo is the sixteenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1996. The album marks the final Rush work prior to the events in Neil Peart's life that put the band on hiatus for several years...
(1996), and in both cases he emphasized a return to Rush's heavier rock sound. For a time, Collins was referred to as "Mr Big".
He has also produced records for Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is a U.S. crossover thrash band founded in 1981 in Venice, Los Angeles, California by Mike Muir, its leader and only permanent member. The band is sometimes credited as one of "the fathers of crossover thrash"...
, Indigo Girls
Indigo Girls
The Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
, Jane Wiedlin
Jane Wiedlin
Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and actress. She is best known as the rhythm guitarist of the all-female New Wave band The Go-Go's.-Early life:...
, October Project
October Project
The October Project is a pop / rock band that was signed to major label Epic Records from March 1993 to June 1996.The members of the band during that time were Mary Fahl , Marina Belica , David Sabatino , Emil Adler , and Julie Flanders, the band’s lyricist, who did not perform with the Project on...
, the Cardigans
The Cardigans
The Cardigans are a Swedish rock band formed in the town of Jönköping in October 1992.Their debut album Emmerdale gave them a solid base in their home country and enjoyed some success abroad, especially in Japan. It was not until their second album Life that an international reputation was secured...
, and Tracey Ullman
Tracey Ullman
Tracey Ullman is a British stage and television actress, comedienne, singer, dancer, screenwriter and author ....
.
Further reading
- Inglis, Sam (March 2002). "Peter Collins". Sound on SoundSound on SoundSound on Sound is an independently-owned monthly music technology magazine published by SOS Publications Group, based in Cambridge, UK. The magazine includes product tests of electronic musical performance and recording devices, and interviews with industry professionals...
.