Leeds Beckett University has appointed Ken Scott, the legendary engineer for The Beatles and producer of David Bowie, as a Visiting Senior Lecturer in the School of Film, Music and Performing Arts.
With 50 years’ experience, Ken brings with him a reputation as one of the best in the recording industry. He will be sharing his expertise with undergraduate and postgraduate students across the School in lectures, seminars, PhD supervision and research collaboration.
Ken will be delivering his internationally-famous presentations and Masterclasses, recently given at such places as Abbey Road studios and Berklee School of Music, as part of the School’s short course and summer school programme.
Ken said: “I was lucky enough to start in the recording business by getting what I consider, to be the best training ever and because of that I feel it essential for me to bring at least some of what I learned to the young and upcoming engineers and producers in this fast-changing world of music. It is with this in mind that I am pleased and extremely proud to be given this opportunity to be able to bring my experience to the students of Leeds Beckett University.”
Beginning at age 16 working in the tape library at Abbey Road studios, Ken worked his way up to the position of assistant engineer in a short space of time, where his first session was on side two of the Beatles’ ‘A Hard Day’s Night’ and eventually took over the helm as recording engineer on ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ and the ‘White’ album.
In this role, he worked with a host of other big names in popular music, including Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, the Hollies, Procol Harum and many more, before moving to independent studio, Trident. For his work at Trident he received three Grammy nominations for best engineered pop album, a Clio Award for ‘I’d like to buy the world a Coke’, and millions of record sales with artists such as Elton John, George Harrison, Harry Nilsson and America.
Ken’s move into music production led him to have more artistic involvement in his work, leading to millions of sales and more Grammy nominations for artists like David Bowie and Supertramp, before he became manager for the band of Frank Zappa alumni Missing Persons.
Ken went on to receive more gold and platinum awards from around the world with acts such as Level 42 and Duran Duran, as well as his work with George Harrison and the George Harrison Estate.
Andrew Fryer, Head of the School of Film, Music and Performing Arts, commented: “The School is immensely proud to welcome Ken to our growing community of internationally-known practitioners and researchers. Students within the School now have a unique opportunity to work closely with a legendary figure from within the music industry, whose achievements and Masterclasses in record production are renowned throughout the world.”
In 2010, Ken was elected to the Sound Fellowship of the Association of Professional Recording Services (APRS).
Ken published his co-written biography, ‘Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust’, in 2012, and has developed EpiK DrumS, virtual instrument computer software based on his past work and featuring five of the world’s best drummers.
