Canyon Records announced that recording engineer Jack Miller has passed away. Mr. Miller was a well-known sound engineer in Arizona, who recorded numerous American Indian music productions for Canyon Records. Additional details concerning his passing are not yet known.
Jack Miller was born in Chicago and settled with his family on the west side of Phoenix, Arizona, in 1953 when Jack was 19 years old. Miller first worked in the music business starting a record section in the variety store his family owned. He later went to work for Dawson Music, which was a combination music store, record label and recording studio in Phoenix until he got a job at Ramsey’s Recording studio right after “The Fool” by Sanford Clark became a big Hit and brought national attention to Phoenix, Arizona.
Ramsey’s became Audio Recorders and in 1958, Miller made music history by recording the “Twang” Heard Around The World,” on the single “Rebel Rouser” by Duane Eddy which sold over a million copies. According to Mr. Miller, “the sound was in producer Lee Hazlewood’s head. He knew what he wanted to hear and we figured out how to make it happen.” Hazlewood and Ramsey found a 2500-gallon (9463 liters) water tank and Jack positioned a speaker at one end and a microphone at the other to create that famous echo chamber that created a gut-vibrating thrum that turned Duane Eddy into a homegrown superstar.
In the early 1960s, Miller left Phoenix to work at the RCA studios in Los Angeles. He recorded Henry Mancini, The Rolling Stones, The Limelighters and The Monkees. Jack wasn’t happy in Los Angeles so he moved back to Arizona and returned to Audio Recorders. In 1978, Miller left the studio and started Jack Miller Productions.
Since the early 1980s Canyon Records worked closely with Jack Miller. The engineer was influential in creating the “Nakai” Native American flute sound that fascinated millions of listeners and brrought cutting edge audio production to Canyon Records.
Through the years Jack recorded over 4,000 albums, embodying every musical style imaginable.
Jack was awarded a Grammy for engineering Canyon Records’ “Bless the People” which was best Native American Music Album. He also received two Gold Records (500,000 units sold in the U.S.) for Canyon Records’ albums Earth Spirit by R. Carlos Nakai and Canyon Trilogy. In 2013 he was inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Association’s Hall of Fame.
Jack Miller retired in 2012.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Ray and Mary Boley, owners of Canyon Records, were friends of mine. Their passing has left a large gap in my life. RIP, folks. I miss you. There’s no one to take your place.