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Rupert Hine, musician and producer, RIP

Musician and producer Rupert Hine has died at age 72. Billboard reports that his death was confirmed by songwriter association The Ivors Academy, of which he served on the board. “His passion, wisdom, inspiration and his immense kindness will be hugely missed.” No cause of death has been reported yet.

While Hine released over a dozen records during his career, which began in the ’60s, he was best known as a producer, having worked behind the boards on Tina Turner‘s Private Dancer, Howard JonesHuman’s Lib and Dream Into Action, The Fixx‘s Reach the Beach and Phantoms, Rush‘s Presto, Stevie NicksThe Other Side of the Mirror, Duncan Sheik‘s 1996 self-titled debut, and more. He also composed the score for ’80s John Cusack comedy Better Off Dead.

Howard Jones wrote on Twitter today, “An extraordinary man and one of my dearest longtime friends, my music mentor and producer, passed away in the early hours of this morning. I’m so fortunate to have spent a precious hour with him Tuesday.”

Rest in peace, Rupert. Your work lives on. Read a few other tribute to Hines from The Fixx, Kevin Godley (10cc / Godley & Creme), former Longpigs frontman Crispin Hunt, and more, below.