Rick Rubin

Guide Note

Rick Rubin is a Grammy Award winning music producer and current co-head of Columbia Records. Over the course of his career, Rubin has worked with a diverse range of artists and has gained a reputation as one of the most discerning, capable and sought-after music producers in the world.

Career

In 1984, he and Russell Simmons started Def Jam Records out of Rubin's dorm room at New York University. After producing the Beastie Boys debut smash hit License to Ill, Rubin began working with more Rock-oriented bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Jesus and Mary Chain. After parting ways with Def Jam in 1993, Rubin formed his own record label, American Recordings. His first project for American was as a producer of the Johnny Cash comeback album American Recordings. Rubin went on to produce four more albums with Cash, as well as a number of other artists - including the Dixie Chicks' 2007 Grammy-winning album Take the Long Way.

Fast Facts

1. Name: Frederick Jay Rubin
2. Born: March 10, 1963
3. Co-founder of Def Jam Records with Russell Simmons
4. Co-head of Columbia Records
5. Origin: Long Island, New York

Worked With

• Beastie Boys, Slayer, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, LL Cool J, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run DMC, Tom Petty, AC/DC, System of a Down, Audioslave, Jay-Z, Weezer, Dixie Chicks, Justin Timberlake, U2, Green Day, Linkin Park, Metallica, Aerosmith, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Public Enemy, Dixie Chicks