Mark Jeffery Anthony Hudson[1] (born August 23, 1951)[2] is an American musician, record producer and songwriter based in both Los Angeles and New York City. After first rising to prominence as a performer, songwriter and TV personality in the 1970s as a member of the Hudson Brothers trio, Hudson achieved independent success as record producer and songwriter, working with a broad variety of artists including Cher, Ringo Starr, Aerosmith, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Hanson, Harry Nilsson, and the Baha Men.
Hudson co-wrote the Grammy award-winning Aerosmith hit "Livin' on the Edge[3]" in 1993, and has since co-written a total of 12 Aerosmith songs. He co-produced their 2001 album Just Push Play,[4] co-writing six of the album's twelve songs.
Hudson, along with Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Paul Santo, and Marti Frederiksen, make up an informal collective of songwriters, musicians and producers known as the "Boneyard Boys", considered responsible for Aerosmith's creative process.
With Ringo Starr
For ten years starting in 1998, Hudson was the primary driving force as producer and composer behind Ringo Starr's continued career as a recording artist.[5] In that endeavor, Hudson produced or co-produced nine albums for Starr. There were five studio albums: Vertical Man (1998), I Wanna Be Santa Claus (1999), Ringo Rama (2003), Choose Love (2005) and Liverpool 8 (2008). Three live albums were also released during this relationship: VH1 Storytellers (1998), Ringo Starr and Friends (2006) and Ringo Starr: Live at Soundstage (2007). The ninth album – a compilation album Ringo 5.1: The Surround Sound Collection – included remixes of thirteen tracks originally produced by Hudson and Starr. It was nominated for Best Surround Sound Album in the 51st annual Grammy Awards for the year 2007–2008.
The nine albums co-produced by Hudson featured a total of 82 different songs. 17 of the 82 songs were cover versions of various classics and oldies. The other 65 songs were specially composed new songs. Underscoring the primacy of his role in the creation of the albums, Hudson was credited as co-writer of 64 of the 65 new songs.
Hudson secured Steven Tyler as guest vocalist on a remake of Dobie Gray's song "Drift Away" for the album Vertical Man. Shortly prior to release, Tyler's record label demanded that his vocal be removed, and he was replaced by Tom Petty on the officially released album. However, the version of the recording featuring Tyler had been circulated on advance promotional discs and found its way on to bootlegs.[6]
In 2003, Starr told the professional audio industry magazine Mix: "Mark puts the fun back in recording. We always have such a great time. He lets the musician know that anything is possible... He's a great musician, has lots of energy and he's a lot of fun to work with."[5]
In June 2007, Starr's attorney, Bruce Grakal, told Beatlefan magazine (issue #141) that the partnership between Hudson and Starr was over, and that they would not work together again. Grakal claimed that the split occurred because Hudson had asked to withdraw from appearing in one of Starr's concert tours – allegedly on short notice. Hudson had been offered a major role on a network TV show The One: Making a Music Star which conflicted with the Starr tour. Hudson said in an interview with Beatlefan magazine[citation needed] that withdrawing from the 2006 All-Starr band tour was not the primary reason for the split and cited Starr's preference for using more synthesized sounds for his next album.
Prior to the split with Starr, Hudson had co-written and recorded all 12 songs heard on the final version of the Liverpool 8 album. After the split, Starr had the tracks remixed by Dave Stewart who was credited as "re-producer." The album was released in January 2008 on EMI/Capitol Records as part of Starr's new recording deal, having left Koch Records in late 2006.
In 2003, Hudson formed a jointly owned record company with Ringo Starr called Pumkinhead Records intended to release recordings by other artists. Distribution for the label was set up via EMI.[7] The label released an album titled Fake Songs by Liam Lynch, the creator of MTV's sock-puppet show Sifl and Olly.
Producer of multi-star charity single of "Tears in Heaven"
In 1985, he co-starred with Geena Davis in the TV show Sara, playing her next-door neighbor Stuart Webber. Hudson also worked closely with Phil Ramone and sang background vocals on many albums/songs produced by Ramone, such as "Crazy for You" by Madonna.[citation needed]
In 1986, he was the in-house bandleader on Fox's short-lived The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers. Rivers referred to the band as, "Mark Hudson, The Party Boys and The Tramp."
In July 1994, he joined Disney's Hollywood Records as a songwriter and producer for performers such as Alice Cooper and Aerosmith. Disney brought him on board to sharpen production, and identify new acts.
In 2004, he was recruited by Sharon Osbourne to join her team as vocal coach for the UK TV show The X Factor. Nicknamed "Weird Beard" because of his colourful facial hair and flamboyant clothing, he coached all the under-25s in the first series and the over-25s in the second.
On March 5, 2006, he achieved his first Number 1 in the UK Top 40 singles chart with an original song he had written for Chico Slimani, X Factor contestant. Called "Chico Time", it displaced Madonna from the top of the chart. It has sold over 100,000 copies in the UK.
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars was screened in the UK during the week of May 29, 2006. Hudson was recruited to reprise his coaching role, this time with celebrities who performed in a week long once-a-night version of the show, raising money for their chosen charity. The show was won by Lucy Benjamin, actress; runner up was Matt Stevens, England Rugby International. The British public voted for their favourites as Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, and Simon Cowell sat in judgment.
At Hudson's request, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler made a guest appearance on Keith Anderson's July 2006 single called "Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll", the title track from his debut album. The single was remixed by Hudson in Nashville, and Tyler's vocal added at Hudson's studio in Los Angeles.
In 2006, Hudson again assumed his coaching role on the 3rd series of The X Factor, this time coaching all the acts on a weekly basis.
In early 2007, Hudson was invited to participate for the third year running at Canadian Music Week (CMW). The CMW is the most prestigious event on Canada's music industry calendar, showcasing over 500 bands across 40 venues and inviting industry experts to share their knowledge at seminars. Hudson's seminar panel included fellow songwriting associates, Nile Rodgers, Glen Ballard, and Don Was. He also took the stage for an evening performance "in-the-round" at the CMW Songwriter's Festival 2007.
For the week of July 19, 2007, Hudson was the stand-in DJ on WBIG-FM, a Washington, D.C.–based radio station.[11]
On October 28, 2007, Hudson made his professional solo stage debut in a sold-out, one-man show called "Livin' on the Edge" at Puck, Doylestown, PA. During the show, Hudson conveyed his experiences with rock music's elite using humorous anecdotes, impersonations, and music.[12]
In 2007, he participated as a counselor at both the New York and Las Vegas 10th Anniversary Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp,[13] and, in 2008, at the Los Angeles camp. The camps are an opportunity for non-professional music enthusiasts to perform with professional musicians.
Hudson is currently[when?] selling prints of his original artwork as well as a range of other merchandise.
Hudson has been working with AJ McLean, a member of boy-band the Backstreet Boys, on AJ's first solo album. Hudson has also written songs with JC Chasez of 'N Sync.
On April 13, 2008, Hudson was asked to perform for US President Bill Clinton at a fundraising rally supporting Hillary Clinton's nomination campaign. The performance took place at Puck, Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
In March 2009, he presented a soft launch of his first solo album, titled The Artist, at The Fest For Beatles Fans convention in New Jersey, where he also previewed music videos for the songs "Happy" and "All The Tea in China", the latter of which also featured his brother Brett Hudson.
Related Research Articles
Steven Victor Tallarico, known professionally as Steven Tyler, is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the keyboards, harmonica and percussion. He has been called the "Demon of Screamin'" due to his high screams and his powerful wide vocal range. He is also known for his on-stage acrobatics. During his performances, Tyler usually dresses in colorful, sometimes androgynous outfits and makeup with his trademark scarves hanging from his microphone stand.
Joseph Anthony Pereira, professionally known as Joe Perry, is an American musician best known as a founding member, guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocalist of the rock band Aerosmith. Perry also has his own solo band called the Joe Perry Project, and is a member of the all-star band Hollywood Vampires with Alice Cooper and Johnny Depp.
Basil Glen Ballard Jr. is an American songwriter, lyricist, and record producer. He is best known for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's 1995 album Jagged Little Pill and Dave Matthews Band's 2001 album Everyday. As a songwriter, he co-wrote songs including "All I Need", "Man in the Mirror", "Hold On", "Hand in My Pocket", and Josh Groban's "Believe". As a producer, he has worked with No Doubt, Shelby Lynne, Goo Goo Dolls, P.O.D., Annie Lennox and others.
John Charles Barrett, known professionally as Desmond Child, is an American songwriter and producer. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008. He has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and has won a Latin Grammy Award.
David Allan Stewart is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for Eurythmics, his successful professional partnership with Annie Lennox. Sometimes credited as David A. Stewart, he won Best British Producer at the 1986, 1987 and 1990 Brit Awards. Stewart was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020 and the duo were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Outside of Eurythmics, Stewart has written and produced songs for artists such as Ringo Starr, Stevie Nicks, Mick Jagger and Tom Petty.
Vertical Man is the eleventh studio album by Ringo Starr, issued in 1998. The album served as Starr's attempt at a commercial comeback following the success of The Beatles Anthology project. Starr enlisted the help of many of his musician friends in making Vertical Man, including Scott Weiland, Brian Wilson, Alanis Morissette, Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Petty, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Steven Tyler, and his former Beatles bandmates Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick mixed the tracks, and Starr and Mark Hudson served as producers.
"Photograph" is a song by English rock musician Ringo Starr that was released as the lead single from his 1973 album Ringo. Starr co-wrote it with George Harrison, his former bandmate from the Beatles. Although they collaborated on other songs, it is the only one officially credited to the pair. A signature tune for Starr as a solo artist, "Photograph" was an international hit, topping singles charts in the United States, Canada and Australia, and receiving gold disc certification for US sales of 1 million. Music critics have similarly received the song favourably; Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic considers it to be "among the very best post-Beatles songs by any of the Fab Four".
Time Takes Time is the tenth studio album by Ringo Starr. His first studio album since 1983's Old Wave, it followed a successful 1989–90 world tour with his first All-Starr Band. Released in 1992, Time Takes Time was a critically-acclaimed comeback album, and featured several celebrity guests including Brian Wilson, Harry Nilsson and Electric Light Orchestra front-man Jeff Lynne.
Vincent "Vini" Poncia Jr. is an American musician, songwriter and record producer.
Sarah Theresa Hudson is an American pop singer-songwriter, and creator of the club-pop music project Ultraviolet Sound.
"Livin' on the Edge" is a song by American hard rock band Aerosmith. The song was written by Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, and Mark Hudson. It was released in March 1993 by Geffen Records as the first single from the band's commercially successful eleventh album, Get a Grip (1993). The single reached number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, number three on the Cash Box Top 100, and number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for nine weeks. In the UK, the song peaked at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1993.
Martin Harold "Marti" Frederiksen is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. He writes and produces music primarily in rock, country, and pop. He is best known for his work with many artists and bands including the Struts, Aerosmith, Gavin Rossdale, Carrie Underwood, Buckcherry, Daughtry, Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, and Faith Hill. He's also well known for performing the lead vocals for the fictitious band Stillwater in the movie Almost Famous.
Taylor Laurence Rhodes is an American songwriter, producer, and musician from Nashville, Tennessee, most notable for his work with hard rock band Aerosmith since 1993.
Liverpool 8 is the fifteenth studio album by Ringo Starr, released worldwide on 14 January 2008. Received with mixed reviews, it marked Starr's return to EMI for the first time since leaving the label in 1975, following the end of the Beatles' recording contract with the company.
Ringo Starr: Live at Soundstage is a 2007 live album by English rock drummer and singer Ringo Starr. It was recorded at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois on 24 June 2005 as part of the PBS concert series Soundstage. The Roundheads for this performance were: Steve Dudas, Gary Burr (guitar), Mark Hudson (guitar), Matt Bissonette, Mark Hart (keyboards) and Gregg Bissonette (drums). Colin Hay and his wife Cecilia Noël joined in on the "With a Little Help From My Friends" finale.
"You and Me (Babe)" is a song by the English musician Ringo Starr, released as the final track on his 1973 album Ringo. Starr's fellow ex-Beatle George Harrison wrote the song along with Mal Evans, the Beatles' longtime aide and a personal assistant to Starr during the making of Ringo. The track serves as a farewell from Starr to his audience in the manner of a show-closing finale, by lyrically referring to the completion of the album. During the extended fadeout, Starr delivers a spoken message in which he thanks the musicians and studio personnel who helped with the recording of Ringo – among them, Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and his producer, Richard Perry.
Gary Nicholson is an American singer-songwriter and record producer, known mainly for his work in country music and blues. He is a two-time Grammy winning producer and was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriter's Association Hall of Fame. Nicholson has more than 500 recordings and is best known for his work with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Ringo Starr, B. B. King, Fleetwood Mac and Billy Joe Shaver.
Burleigh "Buck" Johnson is an American musician performing as keyboardist, backing vocalist and acoustic guitarist with the rock band Aerosmith, Hollywood Vampires, Steven Tyler, The Joe Perry Project, Brother Cane and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. He was co-vocalist, co-guitarist and keyboardist for the country music group Whiskey Falls. Johnson released his self produced album "Tongue And Groove" September 20, 2024 on Rosepony Records - https://onerpm.link/907678431986 He has had songs placed in television, film and recorded by other artists including "Just Feel Better" by Carlos Santana, featuring Steven Tyler on lead vocals.
Paul Santo is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, and sound recording engineer. He is best known in the music industry for his work in the recording studio, collaborating with multi-platinum recording artists such as Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Kid Rock, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Ringo Starr, and Ozzy Osbourne.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
