Dave May, a two-time Grammy Award-winning producer and longtime vice president at Warner Records and Rhino Entertainment, died April 13 in Nashville of natural causes. He was 68 years old.
As a driving force in modern music production and archival preservation, May combines creative vision with technical expertise. He has been at the forefront of new audio formats and mastering, working on projects ranging from studio sessions to live arena performances.
In 1997, he won his first Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video for Alanis Morissette’s song. Jagged little bead, alive. He won his second award in the same category in 2007 for the Madonna Award Confessions tour Party movie.
He has worked closely with many other notable artists during his career, including Metallica, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Josh Groban, REM, Cream, Green Day, Stevie Nicks, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Dream Theater, Chris Isaak, Michael Bublé, and George Harrison.
He began his career as a recording engineer in the 1970s at Pacha Studios in Hollywood. During his time 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 production career was born.
His passion for music and production led him to focus on live concerts and promotional videos for MTV from 1987 to 2010, where he worked full-time in the Warner/Rhino A&R and video department.
In 2010, he launched his own consulting company, Delexandra Music, where he has advised the likes of Universal Music Group, Warner Records, Rhino, Iconic Artists Group and others.
May was also an accomplished musician and songwriter, having released several original albums of his own and landing music placements on television shows, including American Horror Story, Sinner, Cool condition and Brothers and sisters.
Survivors include his wife, Michelle, and daughters, Alex and Devin. Donations in his memory may be made to the Young Musicians Foundation of Los Angeles and/or Siloam Health in Nashville; They both provide care and education to underserved communities.
