Bruce Fairbairn
Encyclopedia
Bruce Earl Fairbairn was a Canadian musician and international record producer from Vancouver
, British Columbia
, Canada
. He was active as a producer from 1976 to 1999 and is considered one of the best of his era. His most successful productions are Slippery When Wet
and New Jersey
by Bon Jovi
, Permanent Vacation
, Pump
, and Get a Grip
by Aerosmith
, and The Razors Edge
by AC/DC
, all of which sold at least five million copies each. He was originally a trumpet player and then started a career as a record producer for Canadian rock band Prism
. He won the Canadian music industry Producer of the Year
Juno Award
3 times. He produced albums for many famous international artists such as Loverboy
, Blue Öyster Cult
, Bon Jovi
, Poison
, Aerosmith
, AC/DC
, Scorpions
, Van Halen
, Chicago
, The Cranberries
, INXS
, KISS
and Yes
. His style was notable for introducing dynamic horn arrangements into rock music
productions. Fairbairn died suddenly on May 17, 1999 due to unknown causes.
He is no relation to American
actor Bruce Fairbairn of the mid-1970s television series The Rookies
.
when he created the Canadian rock band Prism
.
Fairbairn was originally a trumpet player in a local Vancouver jazz-rock band called Sunshyne in the early 70s. There he met bandmate Jim Vallance
who would go on to become one of the most successful songwriters in the music industry and an important music associate. After Vallance left Sunshyne in 1973, Fairbairn changed Sunshyne's format to blues-rock-pop. Fairbairn recruited guitarist Lindsay Mitchell
, from Vancounver band Seeds of Time, as singer-songwriter and frontman. Fairbairn worked through 1974 to land a recording contract for Sunshyne, using demos of two songs written by Mitchell. By mid-1975 Fairbairn approached his friend Vallance for assistance. Vallance reworked the arrangements on the Mitchell songs and supplied 3 of his own at Fairbairn's request. One of the Vallance songs, Open Soul Surgery impressed an executive at record label GRT, who awarded Fairbairn's group a recording contract in 1976.
Over the next year, Fairbairn produced an album using various musicians (including himself) from both Sunshyne and Seeds of Time. In 1977 the album was released as the debut album Prism, from the band that now carried that same Prism name. The album reached platinum status in Canada, with sales in excess of 100,000 albums by 1978.
Fairbairn produced the band's next 3 albums, all of which went platinum or double platinum in Canada. In 1980 Fairbairn won his first of three Canadian music industry Producer of the Year
Juno Awards for Prism's third album Armageddon
.
. The self-titled album Loverboy would be the first Fairbairn production to break through in the lucrative US market and launch Fairbairn's international success.
With protégé Bob Rock
, Fairbairn attracted a growing list of international artists to Vancouver's Little Mountain Sound Studios
. Over the next 5 years, Fairbairn's work on Blue Öyster Cult
's hard rock
1983 album The Revölution by Night
, Krokus
' hard rock 1984 album The Blitz and Canadian band Honeymoon Suite's arena rock
1985 album The Big Prize
continued Fairbairn's string of international hits.
and made him a top rate international record producer. The album sold over twenty-two million copies.
's 1987 album Permanent Vacation
, generated a series of hits including "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
", "Angel
" and "Rag Doll
".
, which holds the record for the hard rock album to spawn the most Top 10 singles, with five singles charting on the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100
Singles Chart and which sold over seven million copies. Fairbain also produced Aerosmith's follow-up, 1989's Pump
, which had sales in excess of seven million and was widely acclaimed by critics, and won him another "Producer of the Year" Juno Award.
The 1990s saw Fairbairn working with a string of internationally influential hard rock acts. 1990 brought AC/DC
's The Razor's Edge
, as well as Poison
's Flesh and Blood
. In 1993, he produced another Aerosmith commercial smash, Get a Grip
, which racked up sales of seven million and solidified the band's growing representation as international media stars. Next Fairbairn produced the Scorpions
' Face the Heat
; and in 1995 Van Halen
's Balance
. In late 1996 and through early 1997 he produced INXS' "comeback" album Elegantly Wasted
which while garnering mixed reviews, obtained sales that were higher than INXS' previous albums. A year later, Fairbairn produced The Cranberries
(To the Faithful Departed
), and Psycho Circus
a 1998-reunion of KISS
. His last fully completed project was The Atomic Fireballs
Torch This Place
for Atlantic Records
.
(The Ladder
), on May 17, 1999 Fairbairn was found dead by Jon Anderson
in his Vancouver
home. He was survived by his wife Julie, with whom he had three sons: Scott, Kevin and Brent. A memorial, "A Celebration of the Life of Bruce Earl Fairbairn", held at the Vancouver Chan Centre was attended by more than 300 people. Highlighted by reminiscences from close friends, the event included musical performances from Jon Anderson
and Steve Howe
performing the song "Nine Voices" from Yes
' The Ladder sessions, as well as Tom Keenleyside, guitarist, David Sinclair and finally, Taps
played on Bruce's trumpet by son Brent.
In March 2000, Fairbairn was posthumously awarded the "Canadian Music Hall of Fame
" Juno Award
for his work.
In his interviews concerning The Ladder, Bruce can be seen in short sections at the bonus material on Yes' Live At The House Of Blues DVD, and he appears to be very ill.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He was active as a producer from 1976 to 1999 and is considered one of the best of his era. His most successful productions are Slippery When Wet
Slippery When Wet
Slippery When Wet is the third studio album by Bon Jovi, released in August 1986 by Vertigo Records. Slippery When Wet was an instant commercial success. The album features songs that are today considered as Bon Jovi's most well-known tracks such as "You Give Love a Bad Name", "Livin' on a Prayer"...
and New Jersey
New Jersey (album)
New Jersey is Bon Jovi's fourth album, released on September 19, 1988. The album charted at #1 on The Billboard 200. New Jersey was particularly notable for producing five Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 singles, the most top ten hits to date for a hard rock album.-Unreleased songs:The album was...
by Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, Permanent Vacation
Permanent Vacation (album)
Permanent Vacation is the ninth studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in August 1987 by Geffen Records.The album marks a turning point in the band's career. It is their first album to employ professional songwriters, instead of featuring material solely composed by members of the...
, Pump
Pump (album)
*After the end of "What It Takes" there is a brief, untitled, instrumental hidden track composed and performed by Randy Raine-Reusch. This was not included on all the releases in all countries.-Bonus track :-Lawsuit:...
, and Get a Grip
Get a Grip
Get a Grip is the 11th studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in April 1993 by Geffen Records. Get a Grip was the band's last studio album to be released by Geffen before they returned to Columbia Records....
by Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, and The Razors Edge
The Razors Edge (album)
-Personnel:*Brian Johnson – lead vocals*Angus Young – lead guitar*Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar, backing vocals*Cliff Williams – bass, backing vocals*Chris Slade – drums, percussion-Tour:...
by AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
, all of which sold at least five million copies each. He was originally a trumpet player and then started a career as a record producer for Canadian rock band Prism
Prism (band)
Prism is a Canadian rock band originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were active from 1977 to 1984 and are active again from 1988 to present. The band's sound is a mix of Album-Oriented Rock and pop rock. They have released a total of 13 albums to date...
. He won the Canadian music industry Producer of the Year
Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award
The Juno Award for "Producer of the Year" has been awarded since 1975, as recognition each year for the best record producer in Canada. It was renamed the "Jack Richardson Producer of the Year" award in 2003, after Jack Richardson who is a noted Canadian record producer.-Producer of the Year...
Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
3 times. He produced albums for many famous international artists such as Loverboy
Loverboy
Loverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
, Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
, Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
, Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
, Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
, Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
, Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, The Cranberries
The Cranberries
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, later changed by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. The band currently consists of O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler...
, INXS
INXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
, KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
and Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
. His style was notable for introducing dynamic horn arrangements into rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
productions. Fairbairn died suddenly on May 17, 1999 due to unknown causes.
He is no relation to American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor Bruce Fairbairn of the mid-1970s television series The Rookies
The Rookies
The Rookies is an American crime drama series that aired on ABC from 1972 until 1976. It followed the exploits of three rookie police officers in an unidentified city for the fictitious Southern California Police Department .-History:...
.
Prism
Fairbairn began his career as a record producerRecord producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
when he created the Canadian rock band Prism
Prism (band)
Prism is a Canadian rock band originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were active from 1977 to 1984 and are active again from 1988 to present. The band's sound is a mix of Album-Oriented Rock and pop rock. They have released a total of 13 albums to date...
.
Fairbairn was originally a trumpet player in a local Vancouver jazz-rock band called Sunshyne in the early 70s. There he met bandmate Jim Vallance
Jim Vallance
James Douglas "Jim" Vallance, OC is a retired Canadian musician, songwriter, arranger and producer based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. He is best known as the former songwriting partner of Canadian international recording artist Bryan Adams...
who would go on to become one of the most successful songwriters in the music industry and an important music associate. After Vallance left Sunshyne in 1973, Fairbairn changed Sunshyne's format to blues-rock-pop. Fairbairn recruited guitarist Lindsay Mitchell
Lindsay Mitchell
Lindsay Mitchell is a guitarist and songwriter from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and is best known as an original member and leader of Canadian rock band, Prism....
, from Vancounver band Seeds of Time, as singer-songwriter and frontman. Fairbairn worked through 1974 to land a recording contract for Sunshyne, using demos of two songs written by Mitchell. By mid-1975 Fairbairn approached his friend Vallance for assistance. Vallance reworked the arrangements on the Mitchell songs and supplied 3 of his own at Fairbairn's request. One of the Vallance songs, Open Soul Surgery impressed an executive at record label GRT, who awarded Fairbairn's group a recording contract in 1976.
Over the next year, Fairbairn produced an album using various musicians (including himself) from both Sunshyne and Seeds of Time. In 1977 the album was released as the debut album Prism, from the band that now carried that same Prism name. The album reached platinum status in Canada, with sales in excess of 100,000 albums by 1978.
Fairbairn produced the band's next 3 albums, all of which went platinum or double platinum in Canada. In 1980 Fairbairn won his first of three Canadian music industry Producer of the Year
Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award
The Juno Award for "Producer of the Year" has been awarded since 1975, as recognition each year for the best record producer in Canada. It was renamed the "Jack Richardson Producer of the Year" award in 2003, after Jack Richardson who is a noted Canadian record producer.-Producer of the Year...
Juno Awards for Prism's third album Armageddon
Armageddon (Prism album)
Armageddon is the third studio album and fourth album overall by Canadian rock band Prism. It was released in 1979 on Canadian record label GRT. It achieved double platinum status in Canada...
.
Loverboy
In 1980, while still working with Prism, Fairbairn started production work on the debut album for Canadian rock band LoverboyLoverboy
Loverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
. The self-titled album Loverboy would be the first Fairbairn production to break through in the lucrative US market and launch Fairbairn's international success.
With protégé Bob Rock
Bob Rock
Robert Jens Rock, , is a Canadian musician, sound engineer, and record producer best known for producing bands such as Aerosmith, The Cult, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, 311, Metallica, Our Lady Peace, The Offspring and most recently Bush.-Payola$ and Rock and Hyde:Rock began his music career in Langford,...
, Fairbairn attracted a growing list of international artists to Vancouver's Little Mountain Sound Studios
Little Mountain Sound Studios
Little Mountain Sound Studios was a music recording facility located in Vancouver, British Columbia. In its day, it was the most successful recording studio in Western Canada and was the home for many years to producers Bruce Fairbairn and Bob Rock...
. Over the next 5 years, Fairbairn's work on Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
's hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
1983 album The Revölution by Night
The Revölution by Night
The Revölution By Night is the ninth Blue Öyster Cult studio album, released in 1983.The album was intended to capitalize on the unexpected success of Fire Of Unknown Origin just two years prior, hence the album's blend of straight-ahead rock and pop elements...
, Krokus
Krokus (band)
Krokus is a hard rock/heavy metal band from Switzerland. They enjoyed moderate success in North America during the 1980s.Krokus was founded in Solothurn in 1974 by bassist Chris von Rohr and guitarist Tommy Kiefer...
' hard rock 1984 album The Blitz and Canadian band Honeymoon Suite's arena rock
Arena rock
Arena rock is a term used to describe rock music that utilised large arena venues, particularly sports venues, for concerts or series of concerts linked in tours...
1985 album The Big Prize
The Big Prize
The Big Prize is the second album by Honeymoon Suite, released in early 1986. It featured four hit singles, including the band's biggest hit in the U.S., "Feel It Again," and "Bad Attitude," which was notably featured in a sequence in the final episode of Miami Vice three years later...
continued Fairbairn's string of international hits.
Slippery When Wet
Fairbairn's biggest commercial success is Bon Jovi's Slippery When WetSlippery When Wet
Slippery When Wet is the third studio album by Bon Jovi, released in August 1986 by Vertigo Records. Slippery When Wet was an instant commercial success. The album features songs that are today considered as Bon Jovi's most well-known tracks such as "You Give Love a Bad Name", "Livin' on a Prayer"...
and made him a top rate international record producer. The album sold over twenty-two million copies.
Permanent Vacation
His next major production, AerosmithAerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
's 1987 album Permanent Vacation
Permanent Vacation (album)
Permanent Vacation is the ninth studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in August 1987 by Geffen Records.The album marks a turning point in the band's career. It is their first album to employ professional songwriters, instead of featuring material solely composed by members of the...
, generated a series of hits including "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
"Dude " is a song by United States hard rock band Aerosmith. It was released as the first of three singles from the Permanent Vacation album in 1987. It reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, #41 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart, #4 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and peaked at #45 on the UK...
", "Angel
Angel (Aerosmith song)
"Angel" is a song performed by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It was written by lead singer Steven Tyler and professional songwriting collaborator Desmond Child...
" and "Rag Doll
Rag Doll (Aerosmith song)
"Rag Doll" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. It is from the 1987 album Permanent Vacation. It was released as the final single from the album in 1988...
".
Continued international success
In 1988 Fairbairn produced another Bon Jovi album, New JerseyNew Jersey (album)
New Jersey is Bon Jovi's fourth album, released on September 19, 1988. The album charted at #1 on The Billboard 200. New Jersey was particularly notable for producing five Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 singles, the most top ten hits to date for a hard rock album.-Unreleased songs:The album was...
, which holds the record for the hard rock album to spawn the most Top 10 singles, with five singles charting on the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
Singles Chart and which sold over seven million copies. Fairbain also produced Aerosmith's follow-up, 1989's Pump
Pump (album)
*After the end of "What It Takes" there is a brief, untitled, instrumental hidden track composed and performed by Randy Raine-Reusch. This was not included on all the releases in all countries.-Bonus track :-Lawsuit:...
, which had sales in excess of seven million and was widely acclaimed by critics, and won him another "Producer of the Year" Juno Award.
The 1990s saw Fairbairn working with a string of internationally influential hard rock acts. 1990 brought AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
's The Razor's Edge
The Razors Edge (album)
-Personnel:*Brian Johnson – lead vocals*Angus Young – lead guitar*Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar, backing vocals*Cliff Williams – bass, backing vocals*Chris Slade – drums, percussion-Tour:...
, as well as Poison
Poison (band)
Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
's Flesh and Blood
Flesh and Blood (Poison album)
Flesh & Blood is the third studio album by American glam metal band Poison, released in 1990 through the Enigma label of Capitol Records. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard chartsand it sold over 7.2 million copies worldwide....
. In 1993, he produced another Aerosmith commercial smash, Get a Grip
Get a Grip
Get a Grip is the 11th studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in April 1993 by Geffen Records. Get a Grip was the band's last studio album to be released by Geffen before they returned to Columbia Records....
, which racked up sales of seven million and solidified the band's growing representation as international media stars. Next Fairbairn produced the Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
' Face the Heat
Face the Heat
Face the Heat is the twelfth studio album released by the German heavy metal band Scorpions in 1993....
; and in 1995 Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
's Balance
Balance (Van Halen album)
Balance is the 10th studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen. It was released in 1995 and, to date, is the fourth and final Van Halen album of all-new material featuring lead singer Sammy Hagar. It was also a more complete divergence from their earlier, more heavy metal sound...
. In late 1996 and through early 1997 he produced INXS' "comeback" album Elegantly Wasted
Elegantly Wasted
-Variations:*"Shine" does not appear on the US/Canadian edition and is not to be confused with "Shine Like It Does".*The Japanese regular edition and Australian limited edition release of the album features the bonus track "Let It Ride".-Singles:...
which while garnering mixed reviews, obtained sales that were higher than INXS' previous albums. A year later, Fairbairn produced The Cranberries
The Cranberries
The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, later changed by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. The band currently consists of O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler...
(To the Faithful Departed
To the Faithful Departed
To the Faithful Departed is the third studio album by Irish rock band The Cranberries, released in 1996. This album was made in memory of Denny Cordell who signed the band to Island Records and Joe , who had both died that year.In the U.S., the album has sold 1.7 million copies as of April 2007...
), and Psycho Circus
Psycho Circus
Psycho Circus is the 18th studio album by American band Kiss. The album features the original four members back together, and in full make-up....
a 1998-reunion of KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
. His last fully completed project was The Atomic Fireballs
Atomic Fireballs
The Atomic Fireballs is a Detroit band led by vocalist/songwriter John Bunkley. The group was formed during 1996 and is composed of Bunkley on vocals, James Bostek on trumpet, Tony Buccilli on trombone, Duke Kingins on guitar, Shawn Scaggs on double bass, Eric Schabo on tenor sax, Geoff Kinde on...
Torch This Place
Torch This Place
Torch This Place is an album made in 1999 by the Atomic Fireballs.-Track listing:#Man with the Hex#Mata Hari#Swing Street Pussycat#Caviar & Chitlins#Lover Lies#Spanish Fly#Pango Pango#Hit by a Brick#Calypso King#Drink Drank Drunk...
for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
.
Sudden death
After completing recording sessions for a forthcoming release from YesYes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
(The Ladder
The Ladder
* "Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002...
), on May 17, 1999 Fairbairn was found dead by Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
in his Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
home. He was survived by his wife Julie, with whom he had three sons: Scott, Kevin and Brent. A memorial, "A Celebration of the Life of Bruce Earl Fairbairn", held at the Vancouver Chan Centre was attended by more than 300 people. Highlighted by reminiscences from close friends, the event included musical performances from Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
and Steve Howe
Steve Howe (guitarist)
Stephen James "Steve" Howe is an English guitarist, known for his work with the progressive rock group Yes...
performing the song "Nine Voices" from Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
' The Ladder sessions, as well as Tom Keenleyside, guitarist, David Sinclair and finally, Taps
Taps
"Taps" is a musical piece sounded by the U.S. military nightly to indicate that it is "lights out". The tune is also sometimes known as "Butterfields Lullaby", or by the lyrics of its second verse, "Day is Done". It is also played during flag ceremonies and funerals, generally on bugle or trumpet...
played on Bruce's trumpet by son Brent.
In March 2000, Fairbairn was posthumously awarded the "Canadian Music Hall of Fame
Canadian Music Hall of Fame
The Canadian Music Hall of Fame honors Canadian musicians for their lifetime achievements in music. The ceremony is held each year as part of the Juno Award ceremonies. Members of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame represent many of the world's great talents...
" Juno Award
Juno Awards of 2000
The Juno Awards of 2000 were held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the weekend of 11-12 March 2000.The primary ceremonies were hosted by The Moffatts at the SkyDome on 12 March 2000 and broadcast on CBC Television...
for his work.
In his interviews concerning The Ladder, Bruce can be seen in short sections at the bonus material on Yes' Live At The House Of Blues DVD, and he appears to be very ill.
Production discography
- 1977: PrismPrism (band)Prism is a Canadian rock band originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were active from 1977 to 1984 and are active again from 1988 to present. The band's sound is a mix of Album-Oriented Rock and pop rock. They have released a total of 13 albums to date...
- Prism - 1978: PrismPrism (band)Prism is a Canadian rock band originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were active from 1977 to 1984 and are active again from 1988 to present. The band's sound is a mix of Album-Oriented Rock and pop rock. They have released a total of 13 albums to date...
- See Forever Eyes - 1979: PrismPrism (band)Prism is a Canadian rock band originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were active from 1977 to 1984 and are active again from 1988 to present. The band's sound is a mix of Album-Oriented Rock and pop rock. They have released a total of 13 albums to date...
- ArmageddonArmageddon (Prism album)Armageddon is the third studio album and fourth album overall by Canadian rock band Prism. It was released in 1979 on Canadian record label GRT. It achieved double platinum status in Canada... - 1980: PrismPrism (band)Prism is a Canadian rock band originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were active from 1977 to 1984 and are active again from 1988 to present. The band's sound is a mix of Album-Oriented Rock and pop rock. They have released a total of 13 albums to date...
- Young and Restless - 1980: LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Loverboy (2x Platinum) - 1980: The SkidsThe SkidsSkids were an art-punk/punk rock and new wave band from Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, founded in 1977 by Stuart Adamson , William Simpson , Thomas Kellichan and Richard Jobson...
- Days in EuropaDays in Europa-1980 re-release:All tracks composed by Jobson/Adamson unless indicated otherwise.This second release's cover includes the controversial first cover as a picture on the wall behind the woman in white's head. On the back of the cover the illustration is repeated, only with the withdrawn release's...
(Second Version) - 1981: LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Get Lucky (4x Platinum) - 1982: Strange AdvanceStrange AdvanceStrange Advance was a Canadian New Wave band formed in 1982 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were nominated for a 1983 Juno Award as Most Promising Group of the Year and again in 1985 as Group of the Year...
- Worlds AwayWorlds Away (Strange Advance album)-References:* - Worlds Away entry... - 1983: Blue Öyster CultBlue Öyster CultBlue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
- The Revölution by NightThe Revölution by NightThe Revölution By Night is the ninth Blue Öyster Cult studio album, released in 1983.The album was intended to capitalize on the unexpected success of Fire Of Unknown Origin just two years prior, hence the album's blend of straight-ahead rock and pop elements... - 1983: LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- Keep It UpKeep It UpKeep it Up was the third album released by the rock band Loverboy in 1983. With new hit tracks like "Hot Girls in Love", the album became an instant hit, and reached #7 on the charts, as did the previous album released by the band.- Track listing :...
(2x Platinum) - 1984: KrokusKrokus (band)Krokus is a hard rock/heavy metal band from Switzerland. They enjoyed moderate success in North America during the 1980s.Krokus was founded in Solothurn in 1974 by bassist Chris von Rohr and guitarist Tommy Kiefer...
- The Blitz (Gold) - 1984: Fast Forward - Living in FictionLiving in FictionLiving In Fiction is an album by Fast Forward, released by Island Records in 1984. Fast Forward was formed by Ian Lloyd...
- 1985: Black n' Blue - Without LoveWithout Love (Black 'n Blue album)Without Love is Black 'n Blue's second album. It was produced by Bruce Fairbairn.-Track listing:# "Rockin' on Heaven's Door" - 3:30# "Without Love" - 3:38...
- 1985: Honeymoon Suite - The Big PrizeThe Big PrizeThe Big Prize is the second album by Honeymoon Suite, released in early 1986. It featured four hit singles, including the band's biggest hit in the U.S., "Feel It Again," and "Bad Attitude," which was notably featured in a sequence in the final episode of Miami Vice three years later...
- 1986: Bon JoviBon JoviBon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
- Slippery When WetSlippery When WetSlippery When Wet is the third studio album by Bon Jovi, released in August 1986 by Vertigo Records. Slippery When Wet was an instant commercial success. The album features songs that are today considered as Bon Jovi's most well-known tracks such as "You Give Love a Bad Name", "Livin' on a Prayer"...
(12x Platinum) - 1987: AerosmithAerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
- Permanent VacationPermanent Vacation (album)Permanent Vacation is the ninth studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in August 1987 by Geffen Records.The album marks a turning point in the band's career. It is their first album to employ professional songwriters, instead of featuring material solely composed by members of the...
(5x Platinum) - 1987: Rock and Hyde - Under the VolcanoUnder the VolcanoUnder the Volcano is a 1947 semi-autobiographical novel by English writer Malcolm Lowry . The novel tells the story of Geoffrey Firmin, an alcoholic British consul in the small Mexican town of Quauhnahuac , on the Day of the Dead.Surrounded by the helpless presences of his ex-wife, his...
- 1987: LoverboyLoverboyLoverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
- WildsideWildside (album)Wildside was an album released in 1987 by the Canadian rock band Loverboy. This was the first album that the band had released that did not go platinum, signaling a general decline in the band's success....
(Gold) - 1988: Dan Reed NetworkDan Reed NetworkThe Dan Reed Network is a funk rock band formed by Dan Reed in Portland, Oregon, United States, in 1984. Dan Reed lended his vocals to a 1990 rap rock collaboration with the Portland Trail Blazers, "Bust a Bucket".-Breathless beginnings:...
- Dan Reed Network - 1988: Bon JoviBon JoviBon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
- New JerseyNew Jersey (album)New Jersey is Bon Jovi's fourth album, released on September 19, 1988. The album charted at #1 on The Billboard 200. New Jersey was particularly notable for producing five Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 singles, the most top ten hits to date for a hard rock album.-Unreleased songs:The album was...
(7x Platinum) - 1989: AerosmithAerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
- PumpPump (album)*After the end of "What It Takes" there is a brief, untitled, instrumental hidden track composed and performed by Randy Raine-Reusch. This was not included on all the releases in all countries.-Bonus track :-Lawsuit:...
(7x Platinum) - 1989: Stairway to Heaven/Highway to HellStairway to Heaven/Highway to HellStairway to Heaven/Highway to Hell was a 1989 compilation album featuring bands that performed at the Moscow Music Peace Festival. It was released by the Make a Difference Foundation. Each song is a cover of a famous solo artist or rock band who had suffered a drug- or alcohol-related death. The...
- 1989: Gorky ParkGorky Park (band)Gorky Park or Парк Горького was a Soviet Glam Metal band, that gained mainstream popularity in USA during Perestroika. Gorky Park is famous for its kitsch use of western stereotypes of Russians, such as pseudo-traditional clothing, balalaika-like guitar design and Hammer and sickle as their logo...
- Gorky ParkGorky Park (album)Gorky Park is the debut album from Russian rock band Gorky Park. It was released in 1989 on Mercury Records, after Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi expressed interest in the band and got them signed to Mercury, Bon Jovi's label... - 1990: AC/DCAC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
- The Razors EdgeThe Razors Edge (album)-Personnel:*Brian Johnson – lead vocals*Angus Young – lead guitar*Malcolm Young – rhythm guitar, backing vocals*Cliff Williams – bass, backing vocals*Chris Slade – drums, percussion-Tour:...
(5x Platinum) - 1990: Paul LainePaul LainePaul Laine is a Canadian musician who has worked with several rock bands. He was the singer of Danger Danger for ten years, then fronted his own band, Shugaazer.-Biography:...
- Stick it in Your Ear - 1990: PoisonPoison (band)Poison is an American glam metal band that achieved great success in the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. To date, Poison has sold over 30 million records worldwide and have sold 15 million records in the United States alone. The band has also charted ten singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100,...
- Flesh and BloodFlesh and Blood (Poison album)Flesh & Blood is the third studio album by American glam metal band Poison, released in 1990 through the Enigma label of Capitol Records. The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard chartsand it sold over 7.2 million copies worldwide....
(3x Platinum) - 1991: Dan Reed NetworkDan Reed NetworkThe Dan Reed Network is a funk rock band formed by Dan Reed in Portland, Oregon, United States, in 1984. Dan Reed lended his vocals to a 1990 rap rock collaboration with the Portland Trail Blazers, "Bust a Bucket".-Breathless beginnings:...
- The Heat - 1991: AC/DCAC/DCAC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
- LiveLive (AC/DC album)AC/DC Live is a 1992 live album by Australian hard rock band, AC/DC. It was released both as a single album and as a double album...
(3x Platinum) - 1993: AerosmithAerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
- Get a GripGet a GripGet a Grip is the 11th studio album by American rock band Aerosmith, released in April 1993 by Geffen Records. Get a Grip was the band's last studio album to be released by Geffen before they returned to Columbia Records....
(7x Platinum) - 1993: ScorpionsScorpions (band)Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
- Face the HeatFace the HeatFace the Heat is the twelfth studio album released by the German heavy metal band Scorpions in 1993.... - 1994: JackylJackylJackyl is an American rock band formed in 1990. Their sound has been described as hard rock, heavy metal and Southern metal.The band is probably best-known for its song "The Lumberjack", which features a chainsaw solo by lead singer Jesse James Dupree. On the recording, Dupree alternately revs the...
- Push Comes to ShovePush Comes to Shove (Jackyl album)-Track listing:All songs written by Jesse James Dupree except as noted.#"Push Comes To Shove" - 3:05#"Headed For Destruction" - 5:14#"My Life"#"I Could Never Touch You Like You Do"#"Dixieland" - 6:01#"I Want It" - 5:04#"Private Hell"#"I Am The I Am"...
(Gold) - 1995: Van HalenVan HalenVan Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
- BalanceBalance (Van Halen album)Balance is the 10th studio album by American hard rock band Van Halen. It was released in 1995 and, to date, is the fourth and final Van Halen album of all-new material featuring lead singer Sammy Hagar. It was also a more complete divergence from their earlier, more heavy metal sound...
(3x Platinum) - 1995: ChicagoChicago (band)Chicago is an American rock band formed in 1967 in Chicago, Illinois. The self-described "rock and roll band with horns" began as a politically charged, sometimes experimental, rock band and later moved to a predominantly softer sound, becoming famous for producing a number of hit ballads. They had...
- Night and Day: Big BandNight & Day Big BandNight and Day: Big-Band is an album by American rock band Chicago that was released in 1995. Their 22nd official album, it marked the band's abandonment of Top 40 material for a more thematic project, the focus here being classic big band and swing music.... - 1996: The CranberriesThe CranberriesThe Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, later changed by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. The band currently consists of O'Riordan, guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler...
- To the Faithful DepartedTo the Faithful DepartedTo the Faithful Departed is the third studio album by Irish rock band The Cranberries, released in 1996. This album was made in memory of Denny Cordell who signed the band to Island Records and Joe , who had both died that year.In the U.S., the album has sold 1.7 million copies as of April 2007...
(2x Platinum) - 1997: INXSINXSINXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
- Elegantly WastedElegantly Wasted-Variations:*"Shine" does not appear on the US/Canadian edition and is not to be confused with "Shine Like It Does".*The Japanese regular edition and Australian limited edition release of the album features the bonus track "Let It Ride".-Singles:... - 1998: KISSKISS (band)Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
- Psycho CircusPsycho CircusPsycho Circus is the 18th studio album by American band Kiss. The album features the original four members back together, and in full make-up....
(Gold) - 1998: Atomic FireballsAtomic FireballsThe Atomic Fireballs is a Detroit band led by vocalist/songwriter John Bunkley. The group was formed during 1996 and is composed of Bunkley on vocals, James Bostek on trumpet, Tony Buccilli on trombone, Duke Kingins on guitar, Shawn Scaggs on double bass, Eric Schabo on tenor sax, Geoff Kinde on...
- Torch This PlaceTorch This PlaceTorch This Place is an album made in 1999 by the Atomic Fireballs.-Track listing:#Man with the Hex#Mata Hari#Swing Street Pussycat#Caviar & Chitlins#Lover Lies#Spanish Fly#Pango Pango#Hit by a Brick#Calypso King#Drink Drank Drunk... - 1999: YesYes (band)Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
- The LadderThe Ladder* "Top Pop Albums 1955-2001", Joel Whitburn, c. 2002...