Notable guitarist well-known for his close ties with the venerable band Queen passed away.
The well-known producer who helped make some of the most cherished songs of the band forever changed the landscape of rock music.
Having supervised the launching of five albums by Queen, one of which was the venerable “A Night at the Opera” album, which came out in 1975, he was 78 years old. Among the well-known songs on this album is “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which was nominated for two Grammy Awards and included on the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Given their record label, E MI, was reluctant to release “Bohemian Rhapsody” as a single when it initially debuted since they thought the song’s six-minute length was excessively long. Still, it became a worldwide phenomenon and ruled charts everywhere.
Fans have been offering their sympathies and sharing memories since word of his death. One admirer said via social media, “He was an amazing producer; Queen’s early work will always be connected with his name. His name was always quite visible in the credits. Emphasizing that his impact on “Bohemian Rhapsody” should never be understated, they kept complimenting his amazing performance with the band.
Another follower said, “This news is terrible.” Although the word “legend” is used somewhat frequently, it really fits in this case. A third individual related their connection to “A Night at the Opera,” saying, “That record greatly influenced my path as a musician. Losing him is a huge loss”.
A fourth fan thanked Sir for his contributions: “Rest in peace, Sir. Your influence on music much enhanced my upbringing, and I still live mostly on your recordings. Your legacy lives on.
Starting his career at Decca Records in the late 1960s, Roy Thomas Baker was barely 14 years old. Later, while first running across Queen, he worked as an in-house engineer at Trident Studios in Central London.
Credit: @brianmayforreal/Instagram
In a 2005 interview with The New York Times, Baker noted the popularity of “Bohemian Rhapsody” and said, “I believed it would be a hit. We never could have envisioned it rising to be as magnificent as it is. I had no clue thirty years later it would still be a contentious issue.
Apart from his collaborating with Queen, Baker has penned songs for several other well-known musicians, including David Bowie, Guns N’ Roses, Mick Jagger, Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones, Free, Journey, Yes, and the Smashing Pumpkins. He also worked on four albums by The Cars during the 1970s and 1980s, including the band’s debut album, “Too Fast for Love.” Bob Merlis, his corporate spokesman, verified his death occurred on April 12 at his Lake Havasu City, Arizona, home.
Queen’s guitarist Brian May shared pictures and recollections of his grief at Baker’s passing. He said: “Roy Thomas Baker’s loss really saddens me. In those early years, he was really instrumental in creating so much of our music. May also considered how time may cause friendships to fade: “I regret losing touch with him recently. Though we often believe there will be time to reconnect, life goes fast, and it is too late before we know it.
“Thank you, Roy,” he said at last, “for everything you did for us and the happiness we shared.” Be at peace. Bri. “
This moving tribute emphasizes Baker’s great talent and the close ties he developed inside the music scene over his extraordinary career.