Ken Scott is a British-born record producer and engineer with a breath-taking CV packed with a list of artists which is nothing short of mind-blowing.
In 1964, he worked on A Hard Days Night by The Beatles (not bad for a first job) and followed it with sessions with Manfred Mann, Cliff Richard, The Hollies, and Johnny Mathis. His collaborations with John, Paul, George and Ringo weren’t over and he worked on some of their greatest hits, including Magical Mystery Tour, Hey Jude, Lady Madonna, Back in the USSR and While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
He worked with John Lennon on Give Peace A Chance and George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass. For Elton John he mixed Honky Chateau and Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player.
If you consider these tracks and albums, they’re all masterpieces from the early stages of the careers of artists who soon rocket into superstardom. David Bowie was no exception.
Ken Scott and David Bowie
We think of Ken as the chief twiddler on The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, but he also co-produced Aladdin Sane, Pin Ups and The 1980 Floor Show for TV. It’s also worth noting that Ken was also involved with Man Who Sold the World and David Bowie (The Space Oddity Album). Bowie also used Ken’s skills for Lou Reed’s Transformer.
Ken also worked extensively with another person in the party photo, Jeff Beck. Ken was at the Ziggy Stardust party, so I got in touch and he was kind enough to drop me a reply.
Unfortunately, you must add my name to the list of those with no answer. My first thought was Geoff MacCormack but, as you discovered, it’s not him. I have no other ideas, sorry.
Ken’s autobiography Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust: Off the Record with the Beatles, Bowie, Elton & So Much More is fabulous read and a vital part of any Bowie bookshelf.
Special thanks to @Weird_n_Gilly for her help on this one, but her constant encouragement on this foolhardy project.
