Colin Thurston RIP

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Colin Thurston, who was an engineer for David Bowie and a co-producer on Lust For Life before going on to produce Duran Duran's first two albums, Talk Talk's The Party's Over, and co-produce Kajagoogoo's White Feathers (along with Nick Rhodes), amongst other albums, passed away on Monday (January 15), according to a statement released by John Taylor today. According to him, "[the band] were very happy to see him at [their Birmingham] NEC concert in '04. Not too surprised for his departing, he had been sick for some time, but very, very sad."

Finding this bit of news out kinda feels like my heart has been ripped out from my chest. Ever since my preteen years I've been keenly aware of the magic that Mr. Thurston had worked and ever since I got the Internet I've been searching high and low for what happened to him. I got tantalyzingly close when I found out that in the late '80s he was the in-house producer for some now-defunct record company, but I don't know what happened to him since. Maybe it was that aforementioned illness that made him retire early from the music business.

R.I.P. Mr. Thurston. I deeply regret never having been able to communicate to you just how much your work meant to me.

― Phoenix Dancing (krushsister), Thursday, 18 January 2007 02:45 (nineteen years ago)

Dude was, by default, a fairly big part of my life in terms of what I heard on the radio growing up. And Rio alone means he's got a reputation for all time. RIP indeed.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 18 January 2007 02:57 (nineteen years ago)

Aw man! As soon as someone knows details, post them.

― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 18 January 2007 03:06 (nineteen years ago)

He produced Magazine, some Human League and (I think) Cowboys International, too.

― Dee Xtrovert (dee dee), Thursday, 18 January 2007 04:42 (nineteen years ago)

Magazine AND Rio?
RIP

― Grey, Ian (IanBrooklyn), Thursday, 18 January 2007 05:05 (nineteen years ago)

While I was doing a Google search earlier in the evening, I did find out about the Magazine; apparently Secondhand Daylight was his first sole production. I really need to get that album, then. And I forgot about the Human League -- those were some early productions too, right? Like, with the original League lineup and everything? Oh, and other productions include Landscape's "European Man", "New Song" by Howard Jones, some Kissing The Pink songs... damn, the list gets ever more staggering as I think about Thurston's legacy. (xpost)

Yes, Magazine AND Rio.

― Phoenix Dancing (krushsister), Thursday, 18 January 2007 05:06 (nineteen years ago)

Sad news. I just listened to Secondhand Daylight tonight, actually....

― Patrick South (Patrick South), Thursday, 18 January 2007 05:18 (nineteen years ago)

Aw, that's sad. Rio was a real fave of mine back in the day...they were my favourite band, back then, in fact. He did a great job at producing them.

― White Dopes on Punk (Bimble...), Thursday, 18 January 2007 05:21 (nineteen years ago)

Played Secondhand Daylight tonight, an amazing sounding record.

He also produced the Human League's alias The Men's sole disco 12", which is completely wonderful and shows they could do disco right in the days pre-Rushnet.

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Thursday, 18 January 2007 07:16 (nineteen years ago)

anyone who had anything to do with the MK I human league will always have a place in my heart. RIP, dude.

― grimly fiendish (grimlord), Thursday, 18 January 2007 11:54 (nineteen years ago)

bummer, dan I don't suppose you know of anywhere I could hear that The Men 12" do you?

― simon 803 (simon 803), Thursday, 18 January 2007 20:48 (nineteen years ago)

wow. i didn't know about this guy. he did some cool stuff.

― M@tt He1g3s0n: oh u mad cuz im stylin on u (Matt Helgeson), Thursday, 18 January 2007 20:51 (nineteen years ago)

He also produced The Only Ones' Baby's Got A Gun. Kind of a controversal choice at the time since he was accused of smoothing out their sound, but it's still a terrific album.

― Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Thursday, 18 January 2007 20:53 (nineteen years ago)

bummer, dan I don't suppose you know of anywhere I could hear that The Men 12" do you?

Both sides are on the Travelogue CD.

And what ET said.

― Andy_K (Andy_K), Thursday, 18 January 2007 21:11 (nineteen years ago)

Sad news indeed. He produced several records that I loved a lot.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Friday, 19 January 2007 04:03 (nineteen years ago)

In a minor coincidence, the last page of the current MOJO has something about the Only Ones hating his production of that album. RIP.

― The Redd And The Blecch (Ken L), Friday, 26 January 2007 05:04 (eighteen years ago)

:( Mr. Thurston's passing is still so very sad. Aw. If Mojo were humane they'd follow up in the next issue with an article/obit about/with all the GREAT things Colin Thurston did, but the day they do that is the day I win the Mega Millions lottery.

― Phoenix Dancing (krushsister), Friday, 26 January 2007 05:29 (eighteen years ago)

four weeks pass...

Really sad news.I worked with him in Singapore writing jingles. Keep rocking Colin. Chas Mclaren

― Chas Mclaren, Friday, 23 February 2007 12:45 (eighteen years ago)

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