Rick Rubin: In the Studio

There is no greater enigma than Rick Rubin working in record production today. As mysterious personally as the Buddhist religion he practices, Rubin has made one thing crystal clear: the records he produces are sonically and stylistically beyond reproach. MTV has called Rubin "the most important producer of the last 20 years," while Rolling Stone ventured even further, deeming Rubin the most successful "of any genre."

Without a niche, Rubin has taken greater risks than any producer in the record industry over the past quarter century. Pushing his artists into new territory has garnered Rubin seven Grammys, including Producer of the Year in 2007, and made him the most in-demand record producer working today. Now for the first time, Rick Rubin: In the Studio offers the behind-the-scenes stories of how Rubin created hit albums with such diverse legends as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run DMC, Johnny Cash, the Beastie Boys, Audioslave, Tom Petty, Metallica, Danzig, Slayer, LL Cool J, The Cult, Weezer, the Dixie Chicks, Linkin Park, System of a Down, Rage Against the Machine, Jay Z, Neil Diamond, Sheryl Crow, and Slipknot.

This book chronicles his meteoric rise, from his early days as DJ Double R in the early '80s, founding and running Def Jam Records alongside Russell Simmons from an NYU dorm room, discovering and producing the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J, to his transition in the early '90s into a successful independent record executive, signing and producing the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Johnny Cash, to his role as the most influential producer of all time (currently as the co-head of Columbia Records), and his continued successes with rock/metal supergroups Audioslave, Linkin Park, and Metallica.

This in-depth look at the life and times of Rick Rubin -- in the studio and beyond -- is a must-have for any music fan.


About the Author
Nashville-based music biographer Jake Brown has published twenty books, including Prince: In the Studio, Rick Rubin: In the Studio, Dr. Dre: In the Studio, Suge Knight: The Rise, Fall and Rise of Death Row Records, 50 Cent: No Holds Barred, Biggie Smalls: Ready to Die, Tupac: In the Studio (authorized by the estate), as well as titles on Kanye West, R. Kelly, Jay Z, the Black Eyed Peas, and non-hip hop titles including Heart: In the Studio (authorized), Red Hot Chili Peppers: In the Studio, Motley Crue: In the Studio, Alice in Chains: In the Studio (fall 2009), and the Behind the Boards Rock Producers Anthology Series. Brown was also a featured author in Rick James' recently published autobiography, Memoirs of Rick James: Confessions of a Super Freak, and in February 2008, appeared as the official biographer of record on Fuse TV's Live Through This: Nikki Sixx TV special. Brown has received additional press in national publications including USA TODAY, MTV.com, Vibe, NPR, and Publishers Weekly. Brown is also owner of the hard rock label Versailles Records, distributed nationally by Big Daddy Music/MVD Distribution and celebrating its 10th anniversary in business this year.