David W. Hewitt - On the Road: Recording the Stars in a Golden Era of Live Music

M y sincere thanks to fellow recording engineer Dirk Devlin, who encouraged me to write this book, and his wife, Anne G. Devlin of Max Gartenberg Literary Agency, who found a home for it here with Backbeat Books.

To the many musicians, engineers, producers, and all who became friends and clients over the last 50 years, I hope this book will bring some good memories of that golden age of live music.

I especially want to remember the late Ed Cherney and his frequent partner in crime, Elliot Scheiner, or the Ed and Els Show as they were known. They were funny enough in everyday life, but when they would take the podium at AES or other functions, it would really get hilarious. Like the time they did a last minute save at the TEC Awards. I was to be inducted to the TEC Hall of Fame by Neil Young, who had a problem on the way and couldnt make it. Ed and Els stepped up to the podium and ad-libbed a bit of a roast for me; it was great fun. They saved my moment in the spotlight!

That spirit would continue on some of the major shows we would record together, like the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festivals and Woodstock 94, or Mud-Stock, as it became known. On one of the late-night Raves, the vocals were droning along, so we hooked up a mic in the remote truck so Ed could sing along; it was hysterical.

Ed passed on October 22, 2019, and a celebration of Ed Cherneys life was held at Village Recorders on December 7, 2019. It was a gathering of family more real than any industry trade or award show could ever create. Ed was an LA guy, but his friends came from around the world. In my retirement, I no longer work on all those LA shows, but I had to go out for Ed and Rose. It was the most heartwarming gathering imaginable. The Mourners Kaddish given by Cherneys rabbi and joined by many voices, was so powerful with the overflowing crowd of friends. Many speakers and much music followed. It was a fitting farewell to a special friend. A salute to you, Ed.

A special thanks to Record Plant Studios in New York 19681989.

The rogues list of those who helped keep the remote trucks rolling: the Boss: Roy Cicala, Penn Stevens, Paul Prestopino, Michael Guthrie, Jack Douglas, Jay Messina, Carmine Rubino, Jim Reeves, Frank Hubach, Shelly Yakus, Rod OBrien, Thom Panunzio, Jimmy Iovine, Paul Sloman, Phil Gitomer, Kooster McAllister, David DB Brown, Norman Mershon, Lila Wassenaar, Randi Mitchell, Patti Joblon, Fred Ridder, Fritz Lang, John Venable, Dave Roberts, Taxi Briell, Steve Barash, Jim Falconer, Neil Steingart, J. B. Matteotti, Doug Tourtelot, and all the other Record Planters who lent their support and encouragement.

The Remote Recording Services years, 19842002

Paul Wolff for the API; Jim Falconer, Designer; Glenn Bostock, Cabinet Maker; Brian Skinner, Fabricator; Ron Lorman, Speaker Consultant; and Sean McClintock, Stage Manager, Fabricator, and Digital Engineer.

Special thanks to my legal mensch, Fredric Rubin Esq.

The Brinton Services, Inc. years, 20032009

Thanks to the Brinton Family: Karen, James, and Lorraine Brinton. Special thanks to Sam Berkow for his brilliant designs. A whole other book.

SST and IIWII Studios, 20122014

Thanks to John Hanti for surviving me; Hurricane Sandy, rebuilding the flooded studios; and for the Rolling Stones secret sessions.

And finally, many thanks to my oldest son, Ryan Hewitt, who has supported my remote recording adventures from his first gig with me at the age of fourteen, pulling cables on a rock n roll stage and helping build the remote trucks. His career as a recording engineer and producer has long exceeded mine, and he has become my trusted advisor to this day. Love ya, Ry!

David W. Hewitt late night mixing at Regent Sound Studios, Philadelphia, PA.

Photo courtesy of Lynn W. Hewitt

David W. Hewitt, first live recording in the Record Plant Remote Truck at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, PA.

Record Plant Studios NY owner Roy Cicala in a rare peaceful moment. More than just great records, he helped make the careers of so many people, including mine. Rest in Peace, Roy.

Recording The Who Tour 1982 on the Black Truck: David W. Hewitt, David DB Brown, Kooster McAllister, Phil Gitomer.

Photo courtesy of David DB Brown

David W. Hewitt mixing on the API console in the Black Remote Truck.

Photo courtesy of David DB Brown

At the 1982 Tony Awards, Kooster McAllister and Phil Gitomer dressed up for the stage.

Record Plant Family beach picnic celebrating Lila and Rubys anniversaries.

The Culture Crew: David with Producer Jay David Saks and Broadcast Director Bill King. Usually seen at the NY Metropolitan Opera, but now at the Washington National Opera.

The legendary Engineer/Producer Eddie Kramer and David W. Hewitt recording one of his many Kiss albums.

The man who invented so much of modern recording, Producer Tom Dowd (R), Sony Music Exec Michael Caplan (C) and Engineer Jay Mark, recording the Allman Brothers.

Neil Youngs long-time Producers, Larry Johnson and David Briggs flanking Engineer David W. Hewitt in center.

Yoko Onos birthday party for her son, Sean Lennon, while on her 1985 Starpeace tour in Budapest, Hungary.

Woodstock 94, or Mud-stock as it became known with a band of great Engineer/Producers: Ed Cherney, Dave Thoener, and Elliot Scheiner, with me and Phil Gitomer keeping it all in record.