Tom Wilson (record producer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Wilson
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Tom Wilson (right) with Bob Dylan (left), recording "Like a Rolling Stone", 1965
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Thomas Blanchard Wilson Jr. |
| Born | March 25, 1931 Waco, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | September 6, 1978 (aged 47) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer |
| Years active | 1956–1978 |
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Tom Wilson was an American music producer who helped create many famous songs in the 1960s. He worked with legendary artists like Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Velvet Underground. He was known for helping musicians find their unique sound and for mixing different music styles.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tom Wilson was born in Waco, Texas, on March 25, 1931. He went to A.J. Moore High School in Waco. Later, he studied at Fisk University before moving to Harvard University.
At Harvard, Tom was very active in music. He joined the Harvard New Jazz Society and worked at the radio station WHRB. He graduated from Harvard in 1954.
Music Career Highlights
After college, Tom Wilson started his own record company called Transition Records. He wanted to record the most exciting jazz musicians of his time. His label released about a dozen albums. These included Jazz By Sun Ra by Sun Ra and Jazz Advance by Cecil Taylor. Both were the first albums for these artists.
Transition Records closed in 1957. After that, Tom Wilson worked for other jazz labels, including United Artists Records and Savoy Records.
Producing for Columbia Records
Tom Wilson became a producer at Columbia Records. He played a big part in creating folk-rock music. He produced three important albums for Bob Dylan: The Times They Are a-Changin', Another Side of Bob Dylan, and Bringing It All Back Home. He also produced Dylan's famous song "Like a Rolling Stone".
Wilson also produced Simon & Garfunkel's first album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., in 1964. This album included the song "The Sound of Silence". When a radio station showed interest in the song, Wilson added electric instruments to it without the duo knowing. This new version became a number one hit and helped launch the folk-rock style. Simon and Garfunkel, who had split up, reunited because of this hit song.
Working with Verve and MGM Records
In 1966, Tom Wilson signed The Mothers of Invention to Verve Records. He produced their first album, Freak Out!.
He also became the producer for The Animals in 1966. Wilson produced The Velvet Underground's first album, The Velvet Underground & Nico. Even though Andy Warhol is often credited, the band's member John Cale said Wilson was the real producer. Wilson also produced Projections for The Blues Project and co-produced Soft Machine's first album in 1968.
Tom Wilson's Impact
Tom Wilson was a very important music producer in the 1960s. People said he had a special talent for "putting the right people together for the right projects."
He helped Bob Dylan create his rock and roll sound. Bob Dylan himself said that Wilson "did to a certain extent" give him his rock and roll sound and "had a sound in mind."
Frank Zappa from The Mothers of Invention praised Wilson. Zappa said, "Tom Wilson was a great guy. He had vision... And he really stood by us." Zappa also mentioned that Wilson risked his job by producing their unique album.
Later Life and Death
Tom Wilson died from a heart attack in Los Angeles in 1978. He was 47 years old. He was buried in McLennan County, Texas.
Selected Albums Produced by Tom Wilson
- 1956: Sun Ra: Sun Song
- 1956: Cecil Taylor: Jazz Advance
- 1963: Bob Dylan: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan (4 tracks)
- 1964: Bob Dylan: The Times They Are a-Changin'
- 1964: Bob Dylan: Another Side of Bob Dylan
- 1964: Simon & Garfunkel: Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
- 1965: Bob Dylan: Bringing It All Back Home
- 1965: Bob Dylan: "Like a Rolling Stone" (single)
- 1966: The Mothers of Invention: Freak Out!
- 1966: The Animals: Animalisms (UK) / Animalization (US)
- 1967: The Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground & Nico
- 1967: Nico: Chelsea Girl
- 1968: The Velvet Underground: White Light/White Heat
- 1968: Soft Machine: The Soft Machine (co-producer)
Images for kids
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Tom Wilson (right) with Bob Dylan (left) in 1965
See also
In Spanish: Tom Wilson (productor musical) para niños
