RIP Phil Bonanno

[synthdogg]

I was just informed last night that producer/engineer Phil Bonanno past away. If you're not familiar with him, Phil was an amazing Chicago area producer/engineer associated with most off the bigger acts out of the area (Styx, Survivor, Enuff Znuff, etc.)

Phil was a great guy to work with and was never stingy with his knowledge. I learned a lot from working with him, he loved passing his skills on to the other guys around him. He always made the sessions relaxed and fun....just a friendly guy who happened to kick ass at his craft. I'm very saddened by the loss, and I'll miss him.

[severe]

R.I.P.

And although I hadn't met the guy, any experienced producer/engineer willing to take the time to share their knowledge is a great one in my opinion.

[Gravity8058]

Wow, do you know the circumstances? I was Phil's assistant for two years in '91-'92. It's true he was very generous with his knowledge and a cheerful guy all around.
I hope it was a gracefull exit.

[Danimal77]

I heard it was a heartattack - he was a real nice fellow, really sad that it happen so soon. He had been back in Chi-town for about a year now and had several new projects in the wings. I had just spoke to him a few weeks ago and he was his usual jovial self - its so weird he's gone. He leaves behind a great body of work including credits on Eye of the Tiger. RIP Phil - we're gonna miss you!

Dan

[synthdogg]

Hey Doug...I don't know all the circumstances. They did initially think heart attack, but the symptoms didn't line up very well. He had been complaining of stomach pain for the past couple of months, and Tuesday his legs went numb. Apparantly, he lost conciousness when the parmedics arrived. I was told they were planning on doing an autopsy, but I didn't hear the results.

The wake was this evening, there will be a funeral tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

I'm glad you guys remember him fondly! Thanks for the replies.

[burst]

A couple of my friends and co-writers had been doing some session work with him this past year. I'll pass along the news if they don't already know. If anyone ends up with any definitive answers, any updates would be appreciated here. The people I know who worked with him always apoke highly of him, as well.

Life is much too short.

[Gravity8058]

I spoke with the guys at CRC yesturday. It was a heart attack, and he went quickly (fortunately). There is a service today. I'd go if I could.

I'll never forget in '91 when I did an "audition" session with Phil. At the end he said, "Do you want to be my guy" and two days later we started a 2 and 1/2 month project mixing (and overdubbing) Budokan II for Cheap Trick. We had ONE day off at the end of that which we spent at a Cheap Trick/ Enuff Z Nuff concert, and then began 3 months recording Enuff Z Nuff the next day!

In that 5 and 1/2 month period I had only 7 days off! As we were printing rough mixes the last few days, we used grease pencil to make "War Paint" marks on our faces. I was never in a Fraternity, but that period with Phil was as close as i got.

I dont think he ever did anything, deliberately, to piss off or hurt anybody.
Maybe he complained about "My Sinus's" a bit too often, but he was pretty good to me.

RIP Phil

[synthdogg]

A favorite recent quote from Phil about working in a DAW system:

"Newer engineers get too caught up in looking at waveforms. They don't realize the session is happening on the other side of the glass"


Good dude.

[Brad_Wood]

Sad to hear about Phil. He engineered an EIEIO record back in 1988 that I was lucky enough to play sax on. He was a funny and generous guy. Always optimistic and encouraging, he was also one of the most fastidious and thorough engineers I've ever known. He'll be missed.

Best- Brad