Ed Ackerson, Minneapolis musician & producer, rest in peace
Sad news to report that Ed Ackerson, Minneapolis music vet, producer, engineer and recording studio owner, has died at age 54. He’d been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer. “He was peaceful and at home with his family and friends. He left this world smiling” his wife Ashley wrote. “Ed never looked to the past, he always looked to the future. I’m sitting here right now listening to his brand new, soon to be released record from his next project. He made art until the day he died and I think it’s some of his best work yet. He never stopped learning, dreaming, loving, exploring, finding new music and inspiration.”
As a musician, Ed played in punk and indie rock bands since the ’80s, including The Dig, Polara, 27 Various and, recently, BNLX, and most of those group’s records came out on his own Susstones label that also put out loads of records by other Minneapolis bands. Owner of Flowers recording studio since 1998, Ed was also an in-demand recording engineer and producer, working on records by The Replacements, The Jayhawks, Soul Asylum, Joseph Arthur, SAVAK, and more over the years, and his reach went well beyond Minneapolis. (Pete Townshend shouted him out on stage at The Who’s show in Saint Paul last month.) He lived and breathed rock n’ roll, and the world’s a little less joyously loud without him in it.
Rest in peace, Ed. You can donate to the Ackerson Family Fund, to help provide for his daughter and wife, and watch a short video for which Ed was interviewed. You can also read tributes from The Replacements, Anton Newcombe, Low, Craig Finn, Minneapolis club First Avenue, Atmosphere, Motion City Soundtrack, Har Mar Superstar, The Ocean Blue, and more — and listen to some of the great music Ed made over the 30+ years — below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IgAC9oDbnY&feature=youtu.be
Remembering the great Minneapolis musician Ed Ackerson. Ed was an old pal of The Replacements, and produced and played on the band’s 2013 ‘Songs for Slim’ EP, done at his Flowers Studio. Sending condolences to Ed’s wife, Ashley, and their daughter Annika. https://t.co/i839xOiJqZ
— The Replacements (@TheReplacements) October 5, 2019
Ed Ackerson has passed. If you’re not familiar with his life of work, look it up, but you’ll never know the kindness he gave without condition. Always kind to me even back when I was a dude at shows. Welcoming and encouraging – made you feel legit. 💜 to family and friends.
— LOW (@lowtheband) October 5, 2019
Really sorry to see this. Ed was a big part of MN music community forever. Super creative and beloved indeed. He will be hugely missed. Much love to his family and friends. RIP. https://t.co/iAbKMXDRbR
— Craig Finn (@steadycraig) October 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/atmosphere/status/1180498106502336515
My condolences to the Ackerson Family. I’ve been friends with Ed since the very early 90s, he was genuinely one of the most down to earth positive people I have ever known. I have mad respect for the way he consistently lived his life, and for Ashley’s strength through this pic.twitter.com/rutm3Bu3Cl
— anton newcombe (@antonnewcombe) October 5, 2019
My heart is broken over losing one of my closest friends. @edackerson was a one-in-a-million talent and the best dude. I will miss him so much. https://t.co/yFzgDg2YXo
— John P. Strohm (@johnpstrohm) October 5, 2019
Woke up to the news that @edackerson had passed away. Feel free to check out my Facebook or Instagram for more words than fit here. Listen to his bands at top volume: (Polara, @bnlx2day, etc…) Donate to his daughter’s fund if you can: https://t.co/ia7SZWZzEQ Rest In Peace Ed.❤️ pic.twitter.com/mqxgCEPAhZ
— Justin Courtney Pierre (@jcpmcs) October 5, 2019
I am beyond sad to have woken up to the news of @edackerson’s passing. Ed was one of the nicest, kindest, funniest, most talented people I’ve ever known. Just a great, great guy. He’s left behind his wife & 4 year old daughter. Friends set up a @gofundme: https://t.co/W5kwPLQy89 pic.twitter.com/G014JhWAsp
— Tony Thaxton (@tonythaxton) October 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/markmallman/status/1180476436018278402
I’m saddened to hear about @edackerson’s passing. His legacy and impact on music and the positive power of rock and roll will be felt for decades to come. A Minneapolis treasure that impacted the world at large. Hug your friends. Tell them you love them.
— Har Mar Superstar (@HarMarSuperstar) October 5, 2019
RIP @edackerson the dictionary definition of a music man. You touched a lot of lives mate and we will all miss you. Fuck cancer.
— wichitarecs (@wichitarecs) October 5, 2019
emotional show last night in DC for many of us, played our favorite #thesmiths song with our friend Kenny from @theriversideusa and remembered our great friend and man of music @edackerson 📷 Brian Yeh #thereisalightthatnevergoesout pic.twitter.com/1HoucSUANY
— THE OCEAN BLUE (@theoceanblue) October 5, 2019
Our friend, Ed Ackerson, the brilliantly talented musician, producer, and a pillar of Minneapolis music will be dearly missed. Our hearts are with Ashley and Annika.
The Ed Ackerson Family Fund via gofundme: https://t.co/BgZncuqiLp pic.twitter.com/3oIKnoqfeQ
— First Avenue (@FirstAvenue) October 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/timmahoneymusic/status/1180495734791163904
I always thought of him as Minnesota's Brian Wilson. Melody god. RT Minneapolis 'musical wizard' and Polara frontman Ed Ackerson dies at 54 https://t.co/zkSkwIDfyF
— Adam Wahlberg (@AdamVWahlberg) October 5, 2019