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Tributes Flow For Aussie Producer Tony Cohen Who Has Passed Away At Age 60

By Sam Murphy

Tributes are flowing for Australian record producer and sound engineer Tony Cohen who has died at the age of 60.

The sad news was announced by Cohen’s brother Martin who took to social media to write, “Just arrived home to learn that my only sibling, my older brother Tony Cohen, passed away peacefully in Dandenong Hospital this afternoon.

“Tony lived a hard life with drugs and alcohol playing a big part of his professional career,” he continued.

“He did give them up many years ago but always knew that he would eventually pay for his ‘sins’.”

Cohen was responsible for producing and engineering some of the most iconic records in Australian music. He worked on Supernaut’s first album in 1976, engineered two Hunters & Collectors records and worked on eight of Nick Cave‘s records. Powderfinger, Paul Kelly, Frenzal Rhomb and Tex Perkins are just a few more of the names that he worked with during his career.

The Australian music community is collectively mourning his loss with many paying tribute to Cohen on social media.

Lindsay ‘The Doctor’ McDougall of Frenzal Rhomb called Cohen, “the brain, ears and fingers behind some of Australia’s best music,” a sentiment that is being echoed by many.

Australian music writer Bernard Zuel lamented on the, “cracked genius,” of Cohen, sharing The Birthday Party’s ‘She’s Hit’ which he produced.

US guitarist and singer Kid Congo Powers, who was a member of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, remembered their last time together, “laughing & making music.”

Ed Kuepper, co-founder of Laughing Clowns who Cohen worked with, also shared his fond memories of working with the legend on their debut album. Meanwhile, Tex Perkins, who also worked with him, told Double J he was a, “genius”.

ABC’s music program Rage shared a tribute on social media writing, “We are very saddened to her about the passing of the producer who defined the sound of dark Australian rock and punk music.”

Check out the tributes below. RIP to an integral part of the Australian music community.

Sam Murphy
Sam Murphy

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