Legendary producer Martin Birch, known for engineering and producing iconic albums by Deep Purple, Rainbow, Fleetwood Mac, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, and Iron Maiden, has died on Sunday (9th). He was 71 years old. His passing was confirmed on social media by Whitesnake/ex-Deep Purple frontman Davide Coverdale who Tweeted the following message:
“It is with a very heavy heart I’ve just had verified my very dear friend & producer Martin Birch has passed away…Martin was a huge part of my life…helping me from the first time we met through until Slide It In…My thoughts & prayers to his family, friends & fans…”
Black Sabbath, Megadeth, Anthrax members and more have taken to social media to pay tribute to this enormous loss:
It is with a very heavy heart I’ve just had verified my very dear friend & producer Martin Birch has passed away…Martin was a huge part of my life…helping me from the first time we met through until Slide It In…Mt thoughts & prayers to his family, friends & fans…💔💔 pic.twitter.com/J4UyDiG9zR
— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) August 9, 2020
Wow. This is a massive loss. Martin Birch produced some ICONIC great albums! I had always hoped to one day interview him. RIP to a legend in production. https://t.co/TvQ7WxMaZc
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) August 9, 2020
So sad to hear of the passing of my all time Favorite producer Martin Birch. He produced a lot of my fave albums and bands like Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult, Iron Maiden and so many more classics. RIP #ripmartinbirch
— Brian Slagel (@brianslagel) August 9, 2020
What a loss. RIP Martin Birch.
To say he was my biggest influence as a record producer would be an understatement. pic.twitter.com/JseecxUhTd— Jay Ruston (@jayruston) August 9, 2020
Rest In Peace, Martin Birch. Thank you for producing the soundtrack to our life. pic.twitter.com/upJOwIcmm4
— Icarus Witch (@IcarusWitch) August 9, 2020
Really sad to hear of the passing of Martin Birch. Brilliant producer. Had the pleasure of working with him on the Black Sabbath albums #HeavenandHell and #MobRules. Condolences to Vera and family. #RIPMartin pic.twitter.com/FPZajWRvpN
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) August 9, 2020
So shocked to hear the sad news of Martin Birch’s passing.
Martin was a lovely guy and a great producer – he produced Heaven and Hell and The Mob Rules for Sabbath. He will be deeply missed and my thoughts go out to his family. R.I.P.
Tony pic.twitter.com/2JJWyqyvC4
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) August 10, 2020
RIP Martin Birch. Legendary producer of countless albums by Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Iron Maiden & more.
“My thoughts & prayers go out to his wife Vera & his daughter Haley. He was a genius producer & a very dear friend of Ronnie’s. May he RIP”- Wendy Dio pic.twitter.com/9GTqNs36WC
— Official Dio (@OfficialRJDio) August 9, 2020
A sad day for the Family of Rock. Martin Birch – the legendary Producer of Deep Purple and many other Great Artists – passed away on Sunday. Our hearts and prayers go out to his Family and Friends. RIP Martin Birch
– Scorpions pic.twitter.com/UFSrUh8zLE— Scorpions (@scorpions) August 10, 2020
So sorry to hear of Martin Birch passing on. Great producer, great times. Our condolences are with his family. RIP pic.twitter.com/jyptWnx9nc
— Candice Night (@TruCandiceNight) August 10, 2020
RIP Martin Birch 😣 This year really is taking a gigantic shit on the world
— Joe Lazarus (@joelazdrums) August 9, 2020
RIP Martin Birch. A true producer legend.
— Bjorn Englen (@BjornEnglen) August 10, 2020
RIP #martinbirch , he produced the Sounds to Most of our lives #tones #producer @IronMaiden @BlackSabbath
— Charlie Benante (@skisum) August 10, 2020
A true legend has passed! This man produces some of my favorite albums from Iron Maiden (Killers/Number of the Beast) to Black Sabbath (Heaven & Hell/The Mob Rules). His pronounced kick drum spikes on critical… https://t.co/fUL8gk9EoH
— David Ellefson (@ellefsondavid) August 10, 2020
Our thoughts goto Birch’s family and friends during this difficult time.
