Legendary Country Music Producer Dies At 79

commercialappeal.com

The music world is reeling, once again.

The Commercial Appeal, out of Memphis, Tennessee, has reported that legendary music producer Lincoln “Chips” Moman has passed away.

Moman gained fame as a talented rockabilly guitarist and band leader in the 1950s, but what really put him on the map was his role in Elvis Presley’s career. He also helped form the record label Stax Records.

He and Sam Phillips were the only two men who could produce Presley’s music well, and Moman single-handedly helped revive Presley’s career in 1969.

“He was one of the most important people ever. He started out with Stax, then all the great recordings he made at American Studios,” said Grammy head Jon Hornyak.. “Memphis music history wouldn’t be the same without Chips. To me, definitely one of the all time great music makers in Memphis.”

In 1965, Moman started his very own studio, American Sound Studios, where he formed one of the most famous house bands of all time, The Memphis Boys.

They played on countless hit records including Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”, Bobby Womack’s “Fly Me To The Moon”, B.J. Thomas’ “Hooked On A Feeling”, and Presley’s “Suspicious Minds”.

On his way to Atlanta, he stopped off in Nashville and ended up staying for a decade.

During that time, he produced hit records for Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Tammy Wynette to name a few!

Moman died at a hospice facility in LaGrange, Georgia on Monday (June 13). It’s been reported that he had been in poor health for many years now.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Moman’s family including his wife, Jane, his daughters, Monique, and son, Casey.