13 Facts About Phil Ramone

Phil Ramone was described by Billboard as "legendary", and the BBC as a "CD pioneer".

Phil Ramone opened his own recording studio before he was 20.

Phil Ramone became a naturalized citizen of the United States on December 14,1953.

Phil Ramone is credited with having recorded Marilyn Monroe's version of "Happy Birthday, Mr President" to John F Kennedy.

Phil Ramone won his first production Grammy for his work on 1975's Still Crazy After All These Years by Paul Simon.

Phil Ramone produced Billy Joel's 1977 album The Stranger and began a fruitful collaboration with Joel producing a string of hit albums throughout the rest of the 1970s and 1980s.

Phil Ramone's book, Making Records: The Scenes Behind the Music, written with Chuck Granata, was released on October 9,2007.

Also in October 2007, Phil Ramone produced a limited engagement performance of Richard Vetere's Be My Love: The Mario Lanza Story.

In 2011, Phil Ramone worked with George Michael, during his 2011 Symphonica Tour.

Also in 2011, Phil Ramone produced the songs "You Were Meant for Me" and "I'm Coming Back" on Lalah Hathaway's album Where It All Begins.

Phil Ramone was married to Karen Ichiuji-Phil Ramone, with whom he had one son.

Phil Ramone was hospitalized in late February 2013 with an aortic aneurysm, and died on March 30,2013, from complications involving the surgery related to it, at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan.

Phil Ramone was nominated for 34 Grammy awards, winning 14 including a Technical Grammy Award in 2005 for a lifetime of innovative contributions to the recording industry.