Ron Murphy, the mastering engineer at NSC and a true legend in Detroit techno and house passed away today. A message posted by Mike Grant to the 313@hyperreal.org e-mail list this evening said this:
It is with a heavy heart and great regret that I announce the passing of Ron Murphy.
I was called with the news that he died of a heart attack sometime today.
Most of you already know of Ron and how important he was to the creation of Detroit techno so there’s not much else I can say.
A fund will be setup hopefully tomorrow to help with funeral expenses. I’ll pass on any additional details as I get them.Mike Grant
Ron was responsible for mastering so many classic Detroit records, his sound and techniques are inseparable from the legacy that 313 dance music will have. If you want to have an idea of what that legacy is, go through your Detroit techno and house records and look for the NSC cut into the runout grooves. Massive respect is due to the man, rest in peace. We also offer our condolences to his friends and family, Ron will always be remembered.
ETA: Detroit artist Aaron Carl reminisces about Ron on a post in his blog. Also, suenomartino.net had a nice little page up with pics and history of NSC. A Detroit Metro Times article about Ron from 2001 can be found here. A story about getting records cut by Ron can be found here. Ican has a video up and Submerge’s podcast with an interview with Ron can be found here.
A memorial Myspace page was set up for Ron here.
More to come as we learn more….
10 Comments
RIP.
what a legacy RIP
ps, some good links there Tom, thanks
I have set up a memorial myspace site for Ron. Please contribute at:
http://www.myspace.com/ronmurphymemorial
oh man, tragic, sad news. r.i.p. ron, a legend behind the scenes in this music for so many years!
Per the family of Ron Murphy, I am forwarding the funeral arrangements to those who knew and loved him…
Memorial services will be held on SATURDAY, Jan 26 2008 at SANTEIU FUNERAL HOME
1139 Inkster Road,
Garden City, Michigan 48135
Services are open to the public from 6 pm – 9 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation.
An official page has been set up for the Ron Murphy Memorial Fund. You can make your donation (via PayPal or credit card) by visiting http://www.wallshaker.com/rmfdonate.htm
All donations will be forwarded directly to the family of Ron Murphy to help pay for expenses, etc. If you cannot make it to the funeral, or aren’t in the area, I strongly urge you to show your support and donate to the Ron Murphy Memorial Fund.
Like many people in this music industry, Ron had no insurance. As this is a VERY trying time for the family, the very least we can do is give a little to support the man who has done SO MUCH for Detroit’s music scene.
Much love and respect,
Aaron-Carl
My Ron Murphy stories are that of missed opportunity, with the first label that I was involved in, it was our collective dream to get our records mastered by man himself and have that revered NSC etched on our vinyl. For whatever reason I couldn’t make it until we were ready to master our third record, along the way Shawn Rudiman and Trevor Combee passed the time of the five hour drive reminiscing about the previous two mastering sessions. Telling the tall tales of his wit, infectious laugh and funny observations about music, the industry and life in general. I couldn’t wait to meet the man, that many audiophiles, such as myself have admired from a distance.
This mastering session never happened, shortly after our arrival into town, we got a message at the shorecrest that Ron was ill. That was way back in January of 2000, and while we did eventually get that record cut when Ron was in better health. I never got that chance to sit down and take in the entire experience that so many others are now posting about in memoriam.
Though I never met the man, his work, and that insignia means just as much to me as the music cut into the grooves. If nothing else its the unifying factor or common thread if you may of so many labels, big and small, just trying to make it happen.
“For those who know”
“Good for Party”
“Frictional, because life is”
“Dealing with your imperfect world”
“Reduced on the 4th Floor”
the list goes on.
RIP Mr. Murphy
R.I.P.
End of an era
I only found this out today.
Having admired his work since first reading Dan Sicko’s ‘Techno Rebels’ years ago, I’m touched to hear the submerge podcast interview. I didn’t realise he was also such a genuine, and genuinely interesting; subtly witty; noble but modest character – basically a great human person.
Is the video (link is broken) the same as the only one I can find on youtube? http://youtube.com/watch?v=cvmB9Qr9GRM
I’ll celebrate his work tonight by digging out some choice NSC slabs and do a tribute mix (and I think I’ll just use the one turntable too). RIP Ron.
2 hour NSC unmixed (one turntable) set.
I have nowhere to host it, but the set-list is here:
http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/7225/nscfx2bm4zl8.png