George Marino, renowned mastering engineer who worked on countless hit albums during his career, passed away on Monday after a battle with cancer. Marino worked at Sterling Sound in New York for almost 40 years. Born in 1947, he began his career as a guitarist in New York in the ’60s. He was hired as an assistant and librarian at Capitol Studios in ’67, but soon moved into the studio’s mastering department. He later worked at the Record Plant where he mastered albums including Don McClean’s American Pie. In 1973, he began working at Sterling Sound, where he remained for the rest of his career.
George Marino’s ears were legendary, and the results of his expertise and artistry are displayed in the incredible discography he left behind. It would be impossible to list everything he worked on, but just a few of his biggest hits include:
- Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin, II, III, IV
- Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, Electric Ladyland, Smash Hits
- AC/DC Highway to Hell, Back in Black
- Bob Dylan Blonde on Blonde
- Bon Jovi Slippery When Wet, New Jersey
- Guns ‘n’ Roses Appetite for Destruction
- Whitney Houston Whitney
- Metallica Metallica (the black album)
- Stevie Wonder Innervisions, Talking Book
- John Lennon/Yoko Ono Double Fantasy
A short sampling of artists in his discography include:
- Coldplay
- Michael Buble
- Scorpions
- Slash
- Miles Davis
- Iron Maiden
- Dan Fogelberg
- Kiss
- Arcade Fire
- Sammy Hagar
- Black Label Society
- Buddy Guy
- Incubus
- Anthrax
- The Strokes
- Cheap Trick
- Queen
- David Sanborn
- Joe Satriani
- My Morning Jacket
- The Derek Trucks Band
- 3 Doors Down
- Billy Squier
- Dream Theatre
- Cyndi Lauper
- Journey
- Nickelback
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Motley Crue
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Nirvana
HIs discography is truly spectacular and unbelievably deep. George Marino was one mastering engineer who definitely deserved the title “legendary.” He will be missed.