John Haeny (1941 – 19 September 2023) was an American-born record producer, recording engineer, mixing engineer, sound designer, and academic. Over a career spanning several decades, he contributed to a broad range of recording projects, working on albums by The Doors, Judy Collins, Linda Ronstadt, and Jackson Browne, among others. His work appeared on several recordings that received Gold record and Platinum record certifications, including An American Prayer by The Doors, which achieved Platinum status in the United States.
In addition to his impact on the music industry, Haeny made notable contributions to film and television sound production. While based in Sydney, he served as a sound editor and sound designer on projects such as the television series Dallas and Twin Peaks, and on films including Scent of a Woman, While You Were Sleeping, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Beauty and the Beast.
In 2003, he relocated from Sydney to Tasmania, where he established Sunny Hills Studios on his property in Glen Huon. He continued his work at the studio until his death in Hobart following a short illness.
Early life and education During his teenage years, Haeny developed an interest in photography while studying in high school. He later attended the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California, where he earned a degree in portrait photography.
Music career Haeny's career in music production began in the 1960s. He worked as a recording engineer and producer, collaborating with numerous artists across various genres. In 1963, he relocated to San Francisco, where he worked with local bands, including those signed to the Tempo/Autumn record label. He later moved to Los Angeles, where he contributed to projects such as I'm a Believer by The Monkees, a single that became a commercial success.
Throughout the 1970s, Haeny worked with artists such as Judy Collins, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and Little Feat, earning multiple Gold and Platinum certifications for his contributions. In 1978, he was responsible for producing and engineering An American Prayer, an album that featured recordings of Jim Morrison's poetry set to music by the surviving members of The Doors.
Film and television career In the mid-1980s, Haeny transitioned into film and television sound production, working as a sound editor and sound designer. His credits included work on series such as Dallas and Twin Peaks, as well as feature films like Scent of a Woman and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. He was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards in recognition of his work in sound editing.
Later career From 2003 until his passing in 2023, Haeny operated Sunny Hills Studios on his property in Glen Huon, Tasmania, Australia. His studio was home to a 5.1 Pro Tools mixing facility, and he worked as a beta tester for Waves Audio, co-developing the Kramer Master Tape plugin.
Notable productions
Album production YearArtistAlbumRIAA Certification1967 Judy Collins Wildflowers Gold1968 Judy Collins Who Knows Where the Time Goes Gold1968 The Doors Waiting for the Sun Platinum1970 Joni Mitchell Song to a Seagull No Certification1970 Judy Collins Whales & Nightingales Gold1972 Judy Collins Colors of the Day Platinum1973 Jackson Browne For Everyman Platinum1973 Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge Full Moon Gold1973 Linda Ronstadt Don't Cry Now Platinum1973 Little Feat Dixie Chicken Gold1974 Linda Ronstadt Heart Like a Wheel Multi-Platinum (x2)1974 Little Feat Feats Don't Fail Me Now Gold1976 Jackson Browne The Pretender Multi-Platinum (x2)1976 Linda Ronstadt Greatest Hits Multi-Platinum (x5)1978 Jim Morrison and The Doors An American Prayer Platinum1978 Warren Zevon Warren Zevon No Certification1980 The Doors Greatest Hits Platinum (x3)1980 Linda Ronstadt Greatest Hits, Volume 2 Platinum1985 The Doors The Best of The Doors Diamond (Platinum x10)1991 The Doors In Concert Platinum (x2)1991 The Doors The Doors (soundtrack) Platinum
Emmy Nominations
| 1987 | Fresno as Sound Editor | Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or a Special
| 1990 | Twin Peaks as Sound Editor | Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series
| 1991 | Separate but Equal as Sound Editor | Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or a Special
| 1992 | Wedlock as Sound Editor | Outstanding Individual Achievement in Sound Editing for a Miniseries or a Special
| 1995 | Earth 2 (TV series) as Sound Editor | Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series
Further reading The making of An American Prayer
References
External links Official website John Haeny at Discogs