The son of famous pop singer Sue Thompson and musician / songwriter / producer Hank Penny, Greg's early production successes led him to work with one of the greatest living vocalists: K D Lang. The results of this collaboration were the albums: “Absolute Torch and Twang” and “Ingenue”. Both were giant sellers and Grammy winners, and defined k.d. as an artiste without boundaries. Greg's achievements with K D Lang brought him to the attention of someone who was already a friend, Elton John.
Greg and Elton had met when they were 15 and 24 respectively and though Elton was already a megastar, he encouraged Greg to follow his dreams. It was only fitting that the first recording that Elton asked Greg to produce a would be a duet with k.d. lang.
"Teardrops" from Elton's "Duets" LP became a favorite of fans of both artists. On this session Greg worked with another one of his idols, Producer / Arranger Arif Mardin. Who wrote the string arrangement for "Teardrops". The sessions for "Teardrops" went so well, Elton asked Greg to continue work on "Duets" and...to produce his next studio LP "Made In England". This was where Greg's dreams really did come true.
Producing his hero and friend, Elton John, collaborating with Bernie Taupin, recording Elton's fantastic band, watching the genius of arranger Paul Buckmaster, working at AIR Studios in London, and finally meeting and working with his idol, Sir George Martin who wrote the string and horn arrangement for the song "Latitudes". "Made In England" was both an artistic and commercial success.
Find out much more about Greg by visiting his website.
Special thanks to George Shilling for asking the questions and to Sphere Studios for being so helpful in making this interview possible. Also, check out the excellent Resolution magazine where Greg is cover featured on the December 2003 issue!
Greg Penny was mid 5.1 remixing some of Elton John's vast catalogue at Sphere Studios, London, when George Shilling popped in with the camera crew in December 2003 to ask all about his 5.1 tips and to find out about his successful hit making formula!
NEW:
Latest HD video interview recorded 2009 with Greg Penny at Flower Studios, California!
