Music producer Hal Willner, one of the artistic forces behind Metallica and Lou Reed’s collaborative 2011 album, Lulu, died Tuesday (April 7) attributable to issues of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). He was 64.

In response, Metallica — who admitted they had been “shocked and saddened” by the dying — shared a press release saluting the musical icon. It arrived alongside a behind-the-scenes photograph of the band working with Willner and Reed within the studio. See it down towards the underside of this submit.

Willner was greatest generally known as a Saturday Evening Reside sketch music producer and a curator of tribute albums and historic music revues in all kinds of types. He first alluded to his COVID-19 prognosis in a March 28 tweet, as Selection identified. Later that month, he talked about the coronavirus-related difficulties dealing with nation icon John Prine, who himself succumbed to issues the identical day that Willner died.

Metallica had been “shocked and saddened to listen to of producer, author, and composer Hal Willner’s passing earlier at present,” the group shared Tuesday. “He was a very inspirational collaborator, somebody who by way of his distinctive mixture of musical data and heat character, invigorated each challenge he touched.”

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich added, “I’ll at all times treasure the time I spent with Hal in these most inspiring and collaborative environments. He was such a heat, open and communicative particular person, and as Lou’s right-hand man, he was completely important in pushing Lulu ahead. I will always remember him.”

Within the lineage of Metallica initiatives, Willner certainly secured his place within the rockers’ pantheon along with his co-producer contributions to Lulu, the outré double album from the 2 marquee artists that continues to be a polarizing entry amongst steel followers. Reed died of liver illness two years after it was launched.

However Willner’s place within the bigger musical world was anchored by the numerous tribute and selection albums he helmed. Misplaced within the Stars: The Music of Kurt Weill (1985), Keep Awake: Varied Interpretations of Music from Classic Disney Movies (1988), and Rogue’s Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys (2006) are just some.