Grammy-winning engineer Steve King, a long-time collaborator of Eminem, died on Tuesday June 3 from liver disease at the age of 56.
A couple of years ago, King gave MT a tour of the 54 Sound Studios in Ferndale, and he was a wonderfully sweet and gracious host. Despite his numerous achievements, he was incredibly humble and spoke more out of pride for the people he has worked with than for himself.
In an article in the Oakland Press, Joel Martin, owner of 54 Sound, said, “He had every reason to have a huge ... ego. But he was so unassuming and so genuine in his love for recording and music, it was just disarming to not run into an ego. Those Eminem records could not have been made without him.” That’s a fair point too – as publicist and King’s friend Matt Lee said, “In those early days, Steve was more a collaborator to Eminem than an engineer.” Don Was told the Oakland Press that, “Steve was always cool under pressure. He carried himself with a sweet nature, positive spirit and profound humility that belied his incredible power as a soulful musician and inspired songwriter. His work made a major contribution towards defining the Detroit Sound over the last quarter century. Steve was a wonderful and irreplaceable cat and will be profoundly missed.”
Everyone at the Metro Times would like to send our sincerest condolences to Steve’s family and friends.
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