I just read in my Entertainment Weekly that arrived yesterday that Arif Mardin passed away on June 25. This makes me sad. He was one of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys I ever worked with. He was a huge, important man, in the music business, but he was terrifically kind and genuine and never had airs or talked down to the staff at studios where he did his work.

I am sad to hear he's gone, because not only was he gifted, he was a good human being.

Obit from Rolling Stone Magazine. Includes a link to hit songs.

NPR Interview from December 2005!

Wikipedia entry.