GUNS N' ROSES, VAN HALEN, QUEEN Members Mourn Passing Of Legendary Rock Producer ANDY JOHNS

Members of GUNS N' ROSES, VAN HALEN, QUEEN and RATT have reacted on Twitter and Facebook to the passing of British sound engineer and record producer Andy Johns who passed away yesterday (April 7) at the age of 61. No cause of death was immediately available, although Johns had been hospitalized for "liver trouble," according to Rolling Stone magazine.

Johns had worked on well-known rock albums such as LED ZEPPELIN "IV", THE ROLLING STONES' "Exile On Main Street", along with revered material from VAN HALEN, HUMBLE PIE, ERIC CLAPTON, CINDERELLA and CHICKENFOOT, among many others.

Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER): "RIP Andy Johns. One of the great engineer/producers of our time; FREE, ZEPPELIN, ROLLING STONES, the list goes on. He will be sorely missed."

Michael Anthony (CHICKENFOOT, VAN HALEN): "Just heard about the passing of my friend and producer, Andy Johns. Words cannot express my sadness upon hearing this. Those of us who had the pleasure of knowing and working with Andy, you know what I'm saying. I loved you brother. Annette, you are in my thoughts and prayers."

Tracii Guns (L.A. GUNS): "There is something intangible that makes a recording magical. Andy Johns in many cases was the intangible ingredient whether he was simply running the tape machine, placing a microphone in a kitchen or a stairwell (just for the hell of it) or he could have been the producer or mixer, or maybe just the stories he would tell during the sessions. Whatever it was that Andy brought to the table, it didn't exactly matter because he possibly just simply had a 6th sense for making a recording undeniably comfortable to listen to.

"It's simply shameful that our industry does not recognize the pain that many artists, engineers, writers, roadies — in fact, anyone involved with creating music for people that touches them for an eternity. Andy provided such a huge percentage of the music we have all heard on classic rock radio stations most of our lives. A person like Andy did not deserve to struggle in any way in his adult life as he made so many people's lives happier because of his contributions. I do know he was too young to die.

"Andy was not just some producer guy, He, along with only a couple of other guys, made recordings that in music history will probably be as timeless as 'Moonlight Sonata' i.e. he watched and hit the record button for Jimmy Page on 'Stairway To Heaven'.

"I won't ramble more, but I am very hurt and sad that Andy Johns is dead.

"On a personal note, he was able to get things out of me on the L.A. GUNS 'Waking The Dead' album that I didn't know I had inside and I will always be grateful to have known him and to have the honor of working with him."

Michael Wilton (QUEENSRŸCHE): "RIP Andy Johns. thanks for the amazing music you gave us all."

Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE, DIO): "Andy Johns was a rock star. The real deal. He was a huge inspiration to me. He would be there 'till the end to make sure the song was right. RIP."

Chad Smith (CHICKENFOOT, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS): "RIP Andy Johns..made some of my favorite all-time records."

Lita Ford: "My beloved friend has passed away! The GREAT record producer Andy Johns!!! LED ZEP, ROLLING STONES, many greats will miss you terribly !!!! No one was like my jolly ol' Andy! Deepest sympathy to his wife, Anet , children and family! ANDY!!!! NO! Please come back...... :-( xoxo Lita."

Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH): "RIP Andy Johns... Friend and producer of HUGHES THRALL, engineer for the STONES, LED ZEP and FREE... Larger than life. You are loved, Andy."

Stacey Blades (L.A. GUNS): "My friend, my mentor and inspiration Andy Johns passed away today. A true legend in the record biz. I'll miss you old friend."

Juan Croucier (RATT): "RIP legendary producer/engineer Andy Johns, an amazing talent. You'll be missed by so many. God bless."

Brian May (QUEEN): "Ouch. So sad to hear of the passing of Andy Johns … Great record producer. Lovely guy — patient, skilled, funny, encouraging, sharp ... all the qualities you want in someone who is getting your music on to tape. I remember him as one of the Olympic Studios team in Barnes … playing around with varying tape speeds and early phasing … with George Chiantz. He went on to become one of the very top rock producers in the world. Condolences to all the family. Andy was such a great guy. RIP"

Steve Lukather (TOTO): "Very sorry to hear about the loss of an old friend and legend Andy Johns.. RIP Andy."

Peter Frampton: "Andy Johns engineer/producer and longtime friend has left us and way too soon. He worked with HUMBLE PIE on our first two albums. Better known for LED ZEP and STONES' classic albums. And 'Songs For A Tailor' by Jack Bruce. A big fav of mine. So many other amazing sounding records were recorded/produced by Andy. My thoughts are with his family and especially his brother Glyn. We will all miss Andy. RIP."

Kevin Shirley (producer): "Very sad to learn of the passing of Andy Johns today. Too young to go. Andy is a bona fide legend. I met him in New York with Pat and Zoe Thrall when he was very condescending to me at Ruby Foo's over some cold sake, but after listening to some work became somewhat of a fan (according to my friend Pat Thrall, who witnessed him listening to one of my AEROSMITH mixes for hours). Andy's legacy is huge."

ILL NINO: "Tonight we mourn the death of rock n' roll's greatest engineer Andy Johns. We are blessed to have worked with Andy for the entire recording of 'The Undercover Sessions'. His legacy is defined by some of rock's greatest moments such as early LED ZEPPELIN, early ROLLING STONES, VAN HALEN and OZZY OSBOURNE. Rest in peace, Mr. Johns. your work inspired a generation and changed the world."