Phil Ramone, music producer and CD pioneer, dies aged 72

Phil Ramone, music producer and pioneer of digital recording, has died aged 72, his son has said.

Phil Ramone is regarded as one of the most successful producers in history, winning 14 Grammy awards and working with stars such as Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Elton John and Paul McCartney.

He produced the first major commercial release on CD, Billy Joel’s 1982 album 52nd Street.

Some of Phil Ramone’s awards were for soundtracks to TV shows, films and stage plays.

A native of South Africa, Phil Ramone learnt the violin at the age of three and became a US citizen at the age of 12.

Phil Ramone had opened his own recording studio before he reached 20.

He produced three records that won Grammys for album of the year – Paul Simon’s Still Crazy After All These Years in 1976, 52nd Street and Ray Charles’ Genius Loves Company in 2005.

Phil Ramone also won Grammys for soundtracks to Flashdance, the Broadway musical Promises, Promises, and an Emmy for a TV special about jazz great Duke Ellington.

He was known for bringing artists together for duets, producing efforts by Frank Sinatra and Bono, and Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney among others.

Confirming his death, his son Matt Ramone said he was “very loving and will be missed”.