New York (June 11, 2012)—Bob Walters, 87, a founder and executive of both Power Station and Media Sound, fied on Friday, June 8, 2012, from pancreatic cancer.
The two recording studios produced hundreds of milestone recordings over five decades. “Bob was a wonderful man who cared about music and people,” said his family in a statement. “He’ll be missed by many and always remembered for his youthful outlook and love of singing.”
Born August 26, 1924, Walters took to music early, and during World War II was a member of the U.S. Army Air Force band stationed in London when Glenn Miller led it. After the war, he formed his own orchestra, which he led through 1985.
Media Sound was located in a former Baptist church on Manhattan’s West 57th St. and opened in 1969. The facility produced numerous hits, including Gloria Gaynor’s “Never Can Say Goodbye,” Barry Manilow’s “Mandy” and Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions. Other artists that recorded there included Luther Vandross, Frankie Valli and John Sebastian.
Power Station, founded by Walters and producer Tony Bongiovi, was housed in a former Con Edison power plant on West 53rd St. Opening in 1977, the facility hosted the recording of noted albums such as Bruce Springsteen’s The River and Born in the USA; David Bowie’s Let’s Dance and Madonna’s Like a Virgin. Over the years, Power Station won five TEC Awards. In 1996, it declared bankruptcy, was purchased at auction and became known as Avatar Studios.
“Bob ran a great business and everyone wanted to copy Power Station’s style,” said Jason Corsaro, adding that Walters cared about employees’ welfare, providing medical insurance as a benefit.
Walters retired to Tampa, FL in 1993. He is survived by a sister, three children and six grandchildren.
