Rock producer Andy Johns dead at 62

LOS ANGELES, April 8 (UPI) -- Producer-engineer Andy Johns, who worked with Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones, died Sunday in Los Angeles, a publicist said. He was 62.

Allied Artists Music Group said in a release the British-born Johns, who worked on the albums of many other top rock bands during his four-decade career, died in a hospital but didn't provide a cause of death.

Allied Artists cited Johns' work in producing John Bonham's drum sound on "Led Zeppelin IV" as "the envy of rock drummers and recording engineers around the world."

Former Van Halen bassist and current Chickenfoot member, Michael Anthony called Johns "a great engineer and a great producer."

"He really was like the fifth member of the band," Anthony said. "He was out in the studio with us, making suggestions and everything. He knew when we had a take. He would say, 'Play it as many times as you want, but that is the one right there.' He would go outside and have a cigarette and say, 'Let me know when you guys are through goofing around because this is the take we are using.'"

Kim Richards, chief executive officer and chairman of Allied Artists International, said Johns "was truly a legend amongst legends; an icon of icons, and remains an inspiration to all who love and make music."

Other artists and bands Johns worked with include Van Halen, Rod Stewart, Godsmack, L.A. Guns, The Cult, Cinderella, Gary Wright, Mott The Hoople, Eddie Money, Joe Satriani, Ginger Baker, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Michael Shenker, The Jason Bonham Band, Bon Jovi, Stevie Winwood, Smile, Killer Dwarfs, Ozzy Osbourne, Autograph, Joni Mitchell, Jethro Tull, Leon Russell, Stephen Stills and the Steve Miller Band.

Johns is survived by his wife Anet, brother Glyn and sons Evan, Jesse and Will Johns and two grandchildren.