Eddie Kramer is as much a record industry historian as he is a storied engineer and producer. Apart from his work with such names as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Jimi Hendrix, Mr. Kramer is also a wealth of knowledge about the music business’s beginnings, which were discussed at length here.
In this interview (which, wonderfully, played more like a chat with a longtime friend), Mr. Kramer, at one point, recounted the origins of analogue tape. Developed in wartime Germany and captured by an American soldier, the Germans’ advanced recording technology (in the form of Neumann microphones and BAFS tape machines) eventually led to the first Ampex tape machines in the US. Further revisions would yield portable Ampex machines—the same with which Les Paul pioneered multitrack recording. “If it weren’t for this guy, Les Paul,” Kramer remembers, “we wouldn’t actually be sitting here.”
Of course, Kramer himself has played a pivotal role in the record business and has become something of a living historical figure. His close working relationship with Jimi Hendrix in the late 1960s led to the construction of Electric Lady Studios in New York City—one of the first studios designed with a specific artist in mind. Kramer recalled the studio costing one million dollars (in 1970s money!), and Hendrix returning from tour with bags of cash to pay off their debts. At the time, Hendrix was spending around $300,000 a year for studio bookings, Kramer reminisced, so it made sense to have his own. Sadly, Hendrix spent only about a month using Electric Lady before his untimely death.
Whether intentional or not, Kramer is also an archivist. His many candid photographs of artists from the ‘60s and ‘70s are acclaimed for their historical value in the rock community—some of which are a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life on the road. A very famous image, seen below, shows Jimi Hendrix and Mick Jagger backstage at Madison Square Garden, the story behind which Kramer generously shared with us.
In more recent years, Kramer has spent significant time working with the Hendrix family to restore old works and unearth forgotten recordings. At the time of this conversation, he had put the finishing touches on what will be the final Hendrix studio album, comprised much of what he considers to be “unearthed” material.
Kramer is also currently working to restore the famed El Mocambo nightclub in Toronto, where he resides. Most known for a surprise appearance by The Rolling Stones in 1977 (pictured below), he has been co-renovating the building into a two-level live venue.
It’s apparent that Kramer’s legacy extends well beyond being the “man behind the board” on some of rock music’s most celebrated recordings. From his photography to his restorative work in the industry and his knowledge of early recording history, Eddie Kramer is a man of immeasurable importance to rock and roll.
It was a privilege speaking with Mr. Kramer, and we hope you enjoy this chat as much as we did.
Many thanks, and have a marvelous time recording and mixing,
Warren Huart
Fantastic Warren! Loved it!
Thanks ever so much @disqus_pWYSUWQHHM:disqus! It was a true pleasure to be able to talk to Mr Eddie Kramer! I found him humble, forthcoming, funny and very generous with his time and knowledge! I am very glad you enjoyed the video! Have a marvellous 2018!!
It is wonderful to hear the background stories in this interview… mesmerized throughout listening to Mr. Kramer.
Thank you Warren and team PLAP for making these interviews available.
Warren, Eddie, Thank you,
Warren
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Best wishes or 2018
Hi @plap-disqus-43ec517d68b6edd3015b3edc9a11367b:disqus! Unfortunately we started before the guys had completed the set up, so the consequence was we had a few audio issues! Thanks for your advice! I really appreciate it! I’ll check out the alternatives! Have a marvellous 2018!
Warren, I always love your videos but this one will be hard to top lol. ABSOLUTELY fascinating story about WWII and it’s role in the recording world! So glad Eddie shared that. Obviously Jimi, Zep, but I’m a HUGE KISS fan and have always admired his work. Thanks for doing this 🙂
Thanks very much @chris_dunnett:disqus! Yes, I agree 100%! I’ve been blessed to work with Ace Frehley on his last two albums and he speaks very fondly of Eddie, so it was wonderful to get to sit down with him and talk music! Have a marvellous New Year!
Amazing interview … loved it 🙂
Hi @plap-disqus-f1b77376e6da9ea8126410f9331886e8:disqus! Thank you ever so much! Have a marvellous New Year 2018!
As always Warren you have given us a priceless insight with this interview. The whole part about the German propaganda machine, their recordings etc.Bing Crosby, Ampex, Les Paul was so interesting. I wiil download this and keep it so I can listen again. My compliments, thankyou.
Derek
Wow thanks ever so much @disqus_jsvTiwydqx:disqus! Agreed, incredibly enlightening information! I wish you a marvellous New Year!!
Thank you Warren for that fantastic history lesson. I hope you have a marvelous 2018!
Hi @plap-disqus-a878dbebc902328b41dbf02aa87abb58:disqus thank you ever so much! Yes, Mr Kramer is a wealth of knowledge! I feel blessed to be able to do this interview with him! Have a marvellous 2018!
Thank you ever so much for sharing this Warren! Really, really interesting from one of the greatest engineers of all times! Loved the story about how the multitrack industry found its birth. Heard bits and pieces of it before, but in this interview it all came together. Wonderful!
Thanks very much @plap-disqus-ede862db5ba2829c43eed59705e9bcdb:disqus! This was a wonderful interview for me! I got so much out of it! Have a marvellous New Year!
Absolutely fantastic interview. Thank you so much Warren and thank you Mr. Kramer for sharing the wonderful stories. What a wonderful, gracious and funny man So cool he has such respect for Ace Frehely I sincerely hope there’s a part two in the future. Thanks again.
Hi @plap-disqus-2e65f2f2fdaf6c699b223c61b1b5ab89:disqus! Thank you my friend for your very kind words! I really appreciate it! Have a marvellous New Year!! Here’s to an incredible 2018!!