Dave May, a two-time Grammy-winning producer and longtime vp at Warner Records and Rhino Entertainment, died April 13 in Nashville of natural causes. He was 68.
A driving force in modern music production and archival preservation, May paired creative vision with technical expertise. He led at the forefront of new audio formats and mastering, working on projects that ranged from studio sessions to live arena performances.
In 1997, he won his first Grammy for best longform music video for Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, Live. He received his second trophy in the same category in 2007 for Madonna’s The Confessions Tour concert film.
May worked closely with many other notable artists during his career, including Metallica, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Josh Groban, R.E.M., Cream, Green Day, Stevie Nicks, Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Dream Theater, Chris Isaak, Michael Bublé and George Harrison.
He began his professional career as a recording engineer in the 1970s at Pasha Studios in Hollywood. During a stint in the Warner mailroom, he answered a call for someone who could read and chart music to consult on a Madonna project, and thus a producing career was born.
His passion for music and production led him to focus on live concerts and MTV promo videos from 1987-2010, working full-time in the Warner/Rhino A&R and video department.
In 2010, he launched his own consulting firm, Delixandra Music, advising the likes of Universal Music Group, Warner Records, Rhino, Iconic Artists Group and others.
May was also an accomplished musician and songwriter, releasing several original albums of his own and garnering music placements across TV programs, including American Horror Story, The Sinner, Cold Case and Brothers & Sisters.
Survivors include his wife, Michelle, and his daughters, Alex and Devin. A donation in his memory can be made to the Young Musicians Foundation in Los Angeles and/or Siloam Health in Nashville; both provide care and education for underserved communities.
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