Pat Collier, the celebrated record producer and former bassist for punk band The Vibrators, has died at the age of 72.
In addition to his acclaimed work with one of the original London punk bands The Vibrators – known for their singles including ‘Automatic Lover’ and ‘Baby Baby’ – Collier went on to have a highly distinguished career behind the production desk.
He worked on records by the likes of The Jesus And Mary Chain, Robyn Hitchcock, The Wonderstuff, Katrina And The Waves and X-Ray Spex.
Hitchcock himself shared the news on social media in the early hours of Monday (July 29), writing: “I heard the sad news today that Pat Collier passed away last night. Pat produced the bulk of the Soft Boys’ [1980 album] ‘Underwater Moonlight’ and went on to co-produce and engineer much of my solo work, from ‘Black Snake Diamond Rôle’ [in 1981] to ‘Jewels For Sophia’ [in 1999]”.
I heard the sad news today that Pat Collier passed away last night. Pat produced the bulk of the Soft Boys Underwater Moonlight album and went on to co-produce and engineer much of my solo work, from Black Snake Diamond Rôle to Jewels For Sophia
— Robyn Hitchcock (@RobynHitchcock) July 29, 2024
Hitchcock continued: “And then the Soft Boys reunion album, ‘NextDoorLand’. His mastery of 4-track recording, bouncing tracks down à la George Martin, and love of 1960s pop in general chimed perfectly with the post-Can of Bees SBs, and helped us glide into a less abrasive sound.”
We discovered our own version of joy recording with Pat. He worked with many UK hitmakers in the 1980s & 90s, moving from his funky, spore-infested lair of Alaska Studios (under the railway arches at Waterloo) to the airy, spacious Greenhouse premises near Old Street.
— Robyn Hitchcock (@RobynHitchcock) July 29, 2024
He was a good man, I’m glad I got to work with him back in those earlier days, and I’m grateful. RIP Mr Collier.
— Robyn Hitchcock (@RobynHitchcock) July 29, 2024
“We discovered our own version of joy recording with Pat,” he added. “He worked with many UK hitmakers in the 1980s & 90s, moving from his funky, spore-infested lair of Alaska Studios (under the railway arches at Waterloo) to the airy, spacious Greenhouse premises near Old Street.”
“Pat was always level, considerate, and open to ideas, with a keen sense of what would work, & what wouldn’t. I hadn’t seen him for ages. We never fell out, but he drifted further east, to studios on the South-East London, whilst I headed west, to Nashville & the Isle of Wight.”
“He was a good man, I’m glad I got to work with him back in those earlier days, and I’m grateful,” he concluded. “RIP Mr Collier.”
A number of further tributes to Collier have been pouring in, some of which you can see here:
Sad to hear of Pat’s passing.
I managed him way, way back when I was at 19 Mgmt. In ‘91 I set up This Much Talent management and Pat was among my first clients. He was a gentle, modest, lovely man. Not to mention talented! 🥲 Love to his family xx https://t.co/DpfSWMpjy9— Terri Hall 💙 (@twizzlehall) July 29, 2024
Produced so many fantastic records and you never heard anyone say a bad word about him. RIP Pat Collier. https://t.co/TxA6DVekp8
— wichitarecs (@wichitarecs) July 29, 2024
Just heard the terrible news that Pat Collier has passed away. We go way back to 1982 when we first started using his rehearsal studios in Waterloo. We’ve spent many weeks over the years recording at his Alaska and Greenhouse studios. We worked with him again… pic.twitter.com/MhWoVWmbWs
— Jim 🅹🅰🆂🅼🅸🅽🅴 🅼🅸🅽🅺🆂 (@behappydadda) July 29, 2024
Incredibly sad news about Pat Collier passing away. He helped so many of our artists create create their best work in his studio. You’ll be greatly missed Pat, rest in peace.
— Club AC30 (@clubac30) July 29, 2024
Very saddened to learn of the passing of Pat Collier. I’d hoped to interview him for a book I’m working on about @TMTCHmusic over their long studio/recording relationship, and Pat worked with so many. Condolences to @JillCollier16 and so many friends and family. #RIPPatCollier https://t.co/nxHrWacuxE
— Aaron Chapman (@TheAaronChapman) July 29, 2024
So very sad to hear that our mate Pat Collier is now no longer with us.
To us he was the 4th member of Clem Burke’s Big Smoke, on the 36 recordings we made with him at his Perry Vale Studios.
Big love and Peace, Clem Debbie and Andy pic.twitter.com/XHg6duC8Dp— Debbie Harris (@BootlegBlondie) July 29, 2024
Rest in peace, Pat Collier 🖤 pic.twitter.com/jr26y7Kf41
— Jayne (@jayne_mute) July 29, 2024
Oh man 😢
As a young lad, I’d always read the credits on the sleeves of my records and Pats name would be present on a large selection of those.
Getting the chance to work and record with Pat on our Lonestar & Desolation Angel EPs was like a dream come true.
RIP Pat Collier 💜 pic.twitter.com/mISTaTR3mA— Peter Purple Heart (@Astral_1) July 29, 2024
I’ve just read that Pat Collier has passed. I fondly remember him spotting my then-commonplace distortion pedal and rightly saying it was the worst he’d ever heard. He also said if I didn’t nail a guitar take, he’d beat me up (he would’ve been fully justified). Rest well, sir.
— Chris Topher 💀 (@Schadenfreudian) July 29, 2024
Rip Pat Collier
Producer of three of the most influential & much loved albums of my lifetime
The eight legged groove machine
Hup
Construction for the modern idiot
By @thewonder_stuff
But SO many other bands too.
Condolences to his loved ones x https://t.co/IpqsROgvJk— Captain ⚓️☮️ (@captain_manic) July 29, 2024
As reported by Louder Than War, Collier first worked as a tape operator in Decca Studios in the early 1970s, while playing with pub rock bands Bazooka Joe and Cafe Racers, mixing with pre-fame Adam Ant and Mark Knopfler.
He formed The Vibrators alongside Ian ‘Knox’ Carnochan, John Ellis and John ‘Eddie’ Edwards, releasing one single (‘We Vibrate’) on Mickie Most’s RAK Records, and recording a series of Peel sessions for BBC Radio 1.
They played venues in London such as the 100 Club and the Roxy, and were signed by Epic Records in 1977, releasing their debut album ‘Pure Mania’ the same year. Second album ‘V2’ included ‘Automatic Lover’, their lone entry in the UK Top 40.
Collier went on to produce countless artists, also including The House Of Love, The Candyskins, UK Subs, The Darling Buds, Maximo Park, The Soup Dragons, Jona Lewie, New Model Army and Primal Scream.
