Greg Ladanyi (BTM producer) dies after "freak accident"

[LukeA]

http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/a...29/691317.aspx

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Producer and artist manager Greg Ladanyi, whose company oversaw the careers of groups like Type O Negative, passed away this morning after sustaining a severe head trauma while on tour with one of his acts in Greece.

Ladanyi, 57, was in the country touring with Anna Vissi, whose Greek album Apagorevmeno was his latest completed project. Before Vissi’s Friday night show in Cyprus, the producer slipped and fell off of a ramp leading up to the stage, striking his head.

He was immediately rushed to the hospital where he remained in critical condition over the weekend.

Although Vissi went on to perform the show, various reports in the Greek press say she's taking Ladanyi’s death hard because the two were extremely close.

Ladanyi’s name is familiar to many as the man who helmed hit albums for a variety of artist in the ’70’s and ’80s, including Jackson Browne (six albums, including “Running on Empty,” “Hold Out,” and “Lawyers in Love”), Toto (four albums, including “Toto IV”), Don Henley (three albums, including “Building the Perfect Beast”), Fleetwood Mac (“Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits,” “Behind the Mask”), The Church (“Starfish”), Jeff Healey (“See the Light”) and Jaguares (“Bajo el Azul de Tu Misterio”). He was working with Vissi to put the finishing touches on an English album at the time of his death.

The producer’s efforts netted him a Grammy Award in 1982 for “Toto IV,” as well as a nomination for Producer of the Year for Don Henley’s “The Boys of Summer” and a Latin Grammy Award nomination for Jaguares “Best Rock Album.”

Besides Vissi (who was a contestant in the 2006 Eurovision song contest), Ladanyi’s company Maple Jam Music also managed a number of well known artists, including Hollywood Undead, Mothers Anthem and Taryn Manning.

Maple Jam was founded in 2004 as a multi-platform company that could work with artists to develop their careers on several levels. A statement from the company says it will “continue to move forward, keeping Greg Ladanyi’s legacy alive.”

Details on a private memorial service are forthcoming.

[jbrownsjr]

OMG that's so sad...

[Villavic]

I never knew how was the connection between the band and him. Mick didn't give details in his book. Not like Richard and Ken, they were like friends, part of the family. But I don't know how they asked him to produce BTM and the GH singles.

[gldstwmn]

That's horrible. My condolences to his family.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Villavic

I never knew how was the connection between the band and him. Mick didn't give details in his book. Not like Richard and Ken, they were like friends, part of the family. But I don't know how they asked him to produce BTM and the GH singles.

I beleive Mick alluded to it having something to do with the label in an interview from ages ago. But that's all that I can recall.

[Street_Dreamer]

What terrible news. BTM is one of my top three favorite Mac albums... one of my all-time favorite period thanks in part to his work. Best wishes to his family and friends.

Matt

[Musicman408]

I just now found out about this!! This is such terrible new. My prayers for him and his family!