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Tom Werman

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Tom Werman (born 1945)[1] is an American record producer responsible for many hard rock and heavy metal albums.

Early life and education

Werman was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in Newton.[2] He earned a bachelor's degree and an MBA from Columbia University;[2][3][4]

Producing career

In 1970, bored with his work in advertising,[5] he sent a letter to Clive Davis at CBS Records[3] and landed a job at Epic Records as an A&R man. His discoveries included Boston, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, and Ted Nugent, whose first album he co-produced as his first production credit.[5] He also brought Kiss, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Rush to Epic but the label passed on all three.[5]

After combining A&R with record producing at Epic until the end of 1982, Werman moved to Elektra Records the following year, but left after four months and continued in producing as an independent;[5] he also worked for a while as an executive at Capitol Records.[3] He retired from the music business in 2001 after producing the music and soundtrack for the film Rock Star, starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston.[6]

Werman has produced 23 gold and platinum albums by acts also including Blue Öyster Cult, Mother's Finest, Molly Hatchet, Ted Nugent, Mötley Crüe, Twisted Sister, Jeff Beck, Stryper, Hawks, Kix, L.A. Guns, and Poison, in addition to key recordings by Dokken, Gary Myrick & The Figures, Glass Tiger, Jason & The Scorchers, Krokus, Lita Ford, and The Producers.[citation needed]

Critics have sometimes described Werman's production style as too polished for the music. Werman replies that every act he produced officially approved his final mix of each album, at his request. "They love you when they're selling platinum albums. 20 years later they like to blame you for every single thing they were unable to achieve".

Later career

In 2002, Werman and his wife, Suky, opened Stonover Farm, a "luxury bed and breakfast"[6] in Lenox, Massachusetts.[2][7][8] In 2021, the Wermans sold the farm and retired from innkeeping.[9]

In September, 2023, Werman announced that his memoir, entitled "Turn It Up! My Time Making Hit Records In The Glory Days Of Rock Music", will be published on November 21, 2023.

Personal life

Werman and his wife have three children.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Tom Werman". Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives. April 23, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Edgers, Geoff (September 27, 2014). "Werman's produced another hit: Stonover Farm". The Boston Globe. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Michie, Chris (January 1, 2001). "Tom Werman". Mix (interview). Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  4. ^ "Tom Werman '67 | Columbia College Today". www.college.columbia.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  5. ^ a b c d e Hunt, Dennis (December 20, 1987). "Tom Werman: Hot Heavy-Metal Dad". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Werman, Tom (August 27, 2009). "The Producers: 'Rock Star,' Missing Cheese, and the End". Popdose. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  7. ^ Gentile, Derek (November 18, 2013). "Rock life had its hits and misses for Lenox innkeeper". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "Stonover Farm Bed & Breakfast". Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  9. ^ Fanto, Clarence (October 20, 2021). "Stonover Inn changes hands from rock music producer to former Broadway child star and 'West Wing' actress". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  • Werman, Tom (February 26 – August 27, 2009). "The Producers". Popdose.com.
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