Robert "Mutt" Lange - Jedi Producer

Throughout the past month, we have been discussing, researching and posting enlightening information on the creative minds behind the music industry. Many artists and producers have influenced me throughout my life and finding one outstanding person or group is near impossible. However, I did settle on one of the main producers that created the most amazing productions, in my opinion, and his innovations influence me still.

Robert “Mutt” Lange, born November 11, 1948 in Zambia, South Africa, has been one of the most important producers in my experiences with the industry.  Since my first introduction to music, I was not interested in who produced the music; I just liked the music. Now that I am working in the industry, I am more interested in how George Martin, Brian Wilson and other producers discovered the means to create the sound that affected the world and the industry. At an early age, Robert “Mutt” Lange grew up enjoying country music and eventually would start his own band, Hocus, in 1970.

The ability to produce an album does not normally come easy and requires dedication and determination. “Mutt” is one of those producers who ooze with these traits. His ability to endure long sessions, visualize the outcome of his work and give the listeners what they desire. My experience with sound design, and my research on the subject, includes the pioneers of sound. Producers like George Martin and the ability to utilize the studio, as a tool is, in my opinion, one of the stepping-stones towards the productions of today. “Mutt” uses similar techniques to create the powerful and charged music that we hear today.

Robert Lange’s first creative project was in 1978. He wrote and produced “Ipswich Town's FA Cup final single Ipswich Ipswich Get That Goal, his connection with the club being due to their South African born player Colin Viljoen”.  In 1978, “Mutt” contributed to his first major hit while producing the #1 UK hit Rat Trap by the Boomtown Rats. Later on, in 1979, he worked directly on AC/DC’s Highway to Hell album.

My inspiration derives from Robert Lange’s ability to create so much power in music, from the very first Recordings of City Boy and Graham Parker’s Heat Treatment album’s in 1976, to the AC/DC days, straight through the ages with Def Leppard’s amazing album Hysteria.

I once watched a documentary entitled Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story, based on the development of Def Leppard in the 80’s. During the 80’s, Def Leppard was my favorite band. I even contributed my career choice in music solely on the fact that they were so young (17-20) when they first became a sensation. It was in this documentary that we get to know “Mutt” Lange as a producer and how he was able to introduce such advanced techniques for creating tracks. We saw how he utilized his studio as a tool, as well, and used such innovative technology, at that time, to make vocals more predominant and even reach ranges that artists had difficulty reaching.

Throughout his career, Lange amassed a huge portfolio of productions. His reputation as a dedicated and proficient producer increased the demand for his talent. From 1976 to 2010, Lange has been responsible for at least three tracks included on 45 albums! Those numbers are impressive on their own, however, if you were to combine his work on those albums, as well as the singles he has worked, and the albums he has co-written, the numbers are closer to 200 albums that he has worked on!!! That much dedication and experience has made him what he is today.

“In 1991, he produced Bryan Adams' Waking Up the Neighbours, including co-writing "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You", a hugely-successful single written for the Kevin Costner film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves that currently holds the record for the longest consecutive number 1 UK chart single with 16 consecutive weeks at number one. (July 7-October 26 1991)”. (Wikipedia article 2011-2012)

With so many achievements accumulated within his career, it is no wonder why Lange is in as much demand today, as he has been in the past. His ability to project the ideas he has into the production

In the decades that prevailed before Lange entered the studio realm, the Beatles and the Beach Boys were the innovators who created the epic sounds that soon found their way onto their albums. In an article by an unknown author, entitled “Mutt Lange – Hi -Tech Songwriting “ …”he is to music what George Lucas is to movies: a purveyor of accessible popular entertainment. In fact, his vision for the Def Leppard record was to bring Star Wars’ to popular music using the latest technology available”. (2007 Unknown)

What impression has Robert Lange left on me as an industry professional? I had a vision back in the early 80’s that I was going to be a rock star. Let’s be honest. Anyone who grew up with great music thought, at one point, that they would be a rock or pop star or else we wouldn’t be as interested in music as adults if we didn’t. I watched the videos, listed to each and every song I could find that sounded similar to other songs and had no idea why they intrigued me; until now. Every song that Lange has worked on, whether accepted or rejected, has always gone through a process that I call the “Lange approach”.

His borderline OCD behavior is similar to mine and the attention to detail is obvious. I spend as much time in the studio, with headphones on, tapping out each note bar by bar; looking for the one “off” note so I can correct it. I want to produce powerful music that all will Google some day and write blogs about me based on my procedures and achievements.

In five years, I am sure that there will be even more advancements in the music industry that will change the sound forever. It won’t surprise me nor will it stop my advancements in the industry. Like with all technological advancements, changes occur that will have to be approached in order to accept and adapt to them. The techniques that Lange utilized in the studio like layering vocals, dropping high ends completely out and boosting compressors, and adding his own voice on most of the chorus sections, is one of the ways that a producer can be a part of the production. I produce music in a very similar manner. I also have such a dedicated focus on perfection and have always utilized my own voice to bring out other artists’ vocals. Lange has been labeled, at times, as this OCD driven perfectionist that obsesses with every note. I am honored to fit in the same category as a great man like Robert Lange. I see good things in my future, if I can master the complex techniques that are still making great music today.

See you at the Grammys!!!