The Irish music community has been paying tribute to Tim Martin, the sound engineer and producer who passed away this week in Dublin.
His extensive list of credits include The Cranberries, Amy Winehouse, The Corrs, The Waterboys, Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Brian Kennedy, Don Baker, The Dubliners, Ronan Hardiman, and Avril Lavigne. And that really is just for starters.
“Tim was a friend who we really looked up to and admired, and it’s hard to imagine that we won’t be seeing him walking into the studio again,” say the gang from Windmill Lane. “Tim, no doubt you’re behind the console at some Great Gig in The Sky. Gonna miss you pal.”
“Really gutted about the passing of Tim Martin: we go back to Engine Alley’s recording with Steve Lillywhite and over the course of two months in various Windmill Lanes indulged in much tasting of salads and learning of yoga positions… or it may have been wilder than that,” reflects Gilded AM’s Dave O’Grady. “Caught up with him a lot over the years in the Factory, Westland and down with his extra family at Other Voices where we talked about his kids who he was in awe of. Tim was always around, a gentle giant who always had a fart joke and swore like a trouper - an admirable trait in anyone. His huge presence will be terribly missed.”
Adds musician Jimmy Smyth: “So very sad. We’d known each other since we were nineteen years old. He touched the lives of so many with his talent, humour and friendship.”
The numerous other musicians who’ve been paying their respects include Flo McSweeney, Niall Toner, Ferdia Mac Anna, Suzanne Rhatigan, Barry Warner, Dave Moloney, Leon O’Neill, Pete Holidai, Paul McLoone and Brendan Morrissey.
Hot Press sends its condolences to his wife Sarah Jane, children Lucy, Matthew and Eve and the rest of his family and friends. Tim’s funeral takes place at 2pm on Saturday in the Victorian Chapel at Mount Jerome Crematorium in Harold’s Cross.