Legendary Mastering Engineer GEORGE MARINO Dies After Battle With Lung Cancer

Legendary mastering engineer George Marino, who has worked on such multi-platinum projects as METALLICA's "Metallica", AC/DC's "Highway To Hell", GUNS N' ROSES' "Appetite For Destruction" and BON JOVI's "Slippery When Wet", has died after a year-long battle with lung cancer. During his nearly 40-year tenure at Sterling Sound in New York City, he also mastered albums from such hard rock and heavy metal artists as OZZY OSBOURNE, IRON MAIDEN, DEEP PURPLE, DIO, DOKKEN, ANTHRAX, SAXON, SEPULTURA, DANZIG, DEATH ANGEL, OVERKILL, W.A.S.P., EXODUS, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, HELLOWEEN and KROKUS.

Monte Conner, Senior VP A&R at Roadrunner Records, stated: "I had the pleasure of working with George Marino on many of Roadrunner's all-time classic albums, such as SEPULTURA's 'Chaos A.D.' and 'Roots', TYPE O NEGATIVE's 'Bloody Kisses' and 'October Rust', LIFE OF AGONY's 'River Runs Red', SOUFLY"s debut and 'Primitive', and dozens of others. Not only was he an incredibly talented mastering engineer, but he was the nicest, kindest, most patient man you could ever meet. He put tremendous care into each and every record and is a guy who loved his job and took pride in his work. George was truly one of a kind. An irreplaceable talent and human being."

Added TYPE O NEGATIVE keyboardist and producer Josh Silver: "One must always admire the skill and craftsmanship of someone who is at the top of their field. Even more admirable is when that person accomplishes this while maintaining an immeasurable amount of warmth and class. It was my privilege to be a part of the musical history that was George Marino. I'm certain he will be missed by all who knew him. The loss is ours."

Sterling Sound has released the following statement about Marino's death:

"Today Sterling Sound and the music industry as a whole has suffered a tremendous loss. Senior Mastering Engineer George Marino lost his battle with cancer this morning. Words cannot express the sorrow we feel. George was family to us all and we will miss him dearly."

George joined Sterling Sound in the summer of 1973 where he has worked on many of the industry's most influential albums, including recent Billboard chart toppers like COLDPLAY's "Parachutes", BON JOVI's "Lost Highway", THE OFFSPRING's "Rise & Fall, Rage & Grace", THREE DOORS DOWN's eponymous release and ARCTIC MONKEY's "Favourite Worst Nightmare" as well as Billboard classics, including JOURNEY's "Frontiers", CYNDI LAUPER's "She's So Unusual", eponymous releases by both KISS and THE CARS, and MÖTLEY CRÜE's "Dr. Feelgood".

George started as a musician, playing rock n' roll guitar in New York City bands. His first job in the industry was as a librarian and assistant at Capitol Studios in 1967. He then apprenticed in the mastering department, helping cut rock, pop, jazz and classical albums. When Capitol shut down its New York studio, and before heading to Sterling Sound, George joined the fledgling Record Plant, eventually becoming a partner in the recording-mastering studio. There he quickly established his reputation with projects such as DON MCLEAN's "American Pie" and classic albums by the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND and STEVIE WONDER.