Producer and engineer Dave Jerden, known for his work with the likes of Jane’s Addiction, Alice In Chains, The Rolling Stones and more, has died at the age of 75.
The news was confirmed in a Facebook post shared by Jerden’s son Bryan on Thursday (January 6). “Our father David Jerden passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday February 5th. It’s hard to express in words what he meant to me, my sister Michelle, and the rest of our family,” began the post.
It continued: “He was larger than life and was deeply passionate about so many things, from history to science, but above all he was a music maker. He worked with so many great artists and together they forged some very interesting and memorable musical pathways and of which I am very proud.
“We will miss his smile, his uncontrollable laughter, his mind-bending stories and great conversations. The memories will live on forever. The music will live on and so will our love. Rest well, Dad. Thanks for your love and inspiration.”
Dave Navarro took to his official Instagram account to share a photo of Jerden with a caption that read: “Jane’s Addiction lost a very special friend this week… producer Dave Jerden. Dave produced our first two studio albums, ‘Nothing’s Shocking’ and ‘Ritual’.
“Along with engineer @ronnie.s.champagne, Dave helped us discover our own sound through exploration rather than having his own agenda. He will be forever missed. Dave was a founding family member of the band and we wish him peace on his journey. R.I.P. Dave.”
The Psychedelic Furs also paid tribute to the late producer and engineer with a tweet on X/Twitter that read: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of #LoveSpitLove producer Dave Jerden 😪”
Check out more tributes below.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of #LoveSpitLove producer Dave Jerden 😪 pic.twitter.com/ojzGMUjQpz
— The Psychedelic Furs (@pfurs) February 6, 2025
RIP Dave Jerden, the genius producer and engineer who worked with everyone from
Herbie Hancock to Talking Heads. He’s probably best known for his work with Jane’s Addiction and @AliceInChains – Facelift and Dirt, including this monster track. 🪦— Greg Renoff (@GregRenoff) February 7, 2025
Farewell to My Mentor, My Friend, My Brother, Dave Jerden
Dave, you were a prince among men, a rare and beautiful soul who touched every life you entered. For 27 years, you were one of my guiding lights, a teacher, and most of all my cherished friend. It wasn’t long enough, not… pic.twitter.com/CGLbXXSlUx
— Produce Like A Pro (@ProduceLikeAPro) February 6, 2025
My friend and mentor, Dave Jerden, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2025. Dave’s unparalleled talent and generous spirit profoundly shaped my life and career. His work with iconic bands like Jane’s Addiction and Alice in Chains not only defined a generation but also inspired…
— Produce Like A Pro (@ProduceLikeAPro) February 7, 2025
Sorry to hear that Dave Jerden has passed away. He left his signature sound on so many great albums for artists such as Jane’s Addiction, Talking Heads, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Herbie Hancock, The Rolling Stones, Public Image Limited, and more.
RIPhttps://t.co/vnNNXtohJ1 pic.twitter.com/QYiD4f5nwi— Tape Op (@tapeopmag) February 7, 2025
Jerden began his career in the late ’70s working at Los Angeles’ Eldorado Recording Studios as a mixer and engineer. Some of his early days saw him working alongside the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Rolling Stones, Talking Heads and Frank Zappa.
By the late ’80s, Jerden had begun working with acts in the growing alternative scene, including with Perry Farrell and co. on Jane’s Addiction’s first two LP’s: 1988’s ‘Nothing’s Shocking’ and 1990’s ‘Ritual de lo Habitual’.
Throughout the ’90s, he went on to produce and engineer various albums by several punk, hard-rock and metal bands. Some of the albums he’s worked on include Talking Heads’ ‘Remain In Light’, Alice In Chains‘ ‘Facelift’ and ‘Dirt’, Spinal Tap‘s ‘Break Like the Wind’, Public Image Ltd.‘s ‘That What Is Not’, Anthrax‘s ‘Sound of White Noise’, The Offspring‘s ‘Ixnay on the Hombre’ and ‘Americana’ and many more.
In a 2013 interview with Music Radar, Jerden said, “My father was a musician, so I used to go to sessions with him. I watched the engineer, and I thought he was the most important guy in the room. He was the guy making the record, not the producer. The engineer was always working. He knew what all the knobs and equipment did — he was like a rocket scientist.”
