Sadly, but not surprisingly, Jan Berry (Jan & Dean) was left out. Jan taught Brian Wilson everything he knows about producing a hit record. Brian tuaght Jan songwriting and harmonies and for a brief period of time until Jan’s accident it was magic. He was a true genius. Google him.

Dust Brothers
RZA
Terry Date
Erick Sermon

Solid list up top, just a few more to throw out since I forgot to vote…

Tony Visconti anybody?

ohhh and Timberland booties she makes pop noise from a machine machines that’s not a producer that’s bunk!

ohhh and Timberland booties makes pop noise from a prgrammed digital noise making machine– that’s not a producer that’s bunk!

What about Kevin Shirley??? He’s been producing great albums since Led Zep!

martin birch

Sam Phillips!!!!!!!
Phill and Leonard Chess!!!!!
That dude who recorded all the jazz greats of the 50s at his mom’s house in New Jersey!!!!!!!

I think any BIG list of great producers would have to include JACK DOUGLAS of Nimbus 9 Productions.

Michael Gira (Swans, Devendra Banhart, etc.)
Martin Hannett (Joy Division)

TBone Burnett

tom dowd.

For crying out loud, what about Tom Dowd and Sam Phillips? This list and the people who made it need to study up on their music history!

Tony Visconti!!!

I second the votes for Tony VIsconti and Sam Phillips, and subnit the name Jack Nitzsche

Jerry Wexler
Mitch Miller
Robert John “Mutt” Lange

oh… and Andy Johns, Glyn Johns, and Ethan Johns

I agree with the top 3 but the rest just seem like a list of producers the author came up with. I mean there’s some names 4-20 I agree with but Kanye West a better producer than Dr. Dre? Really? You’re also forgetting Jeff Lynne. He should be up there in the top 10 at least. I mean, he produced ELO, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Randy Newman, Del Shannon, Paul McCartney, the Traveling Wilburys, ect, and made them all sound awesome. That should at least place him in the top 20.

Where’s “Mutt” Lange and Bob Rock?

RZA (greatest rap producer ever)
Tony Visconti
Martin Birch
Jack Douglas
Jeff Lynne
Bob Rock
Mutt
J Dilla (Rest In Peace)
Terry Date
Roy Halee (Journey, anyone?)
This list sucks from places 7-20.

Quincy Jones must be one of the greatest.

Yes Jan Berry is so overlooked by rock history – a near fatal cat accident in 1966 denied him the opportunity to gain the serious critical recognition he deserved. He led the way and Brian Wilson followed.
How about a retrospective Rolling Stone?