Haydn Bendall

Haydn worked for over 17 years at Abbey Road, the last ten of these as senior engineer. During that time he was introduced to quite possibly the widest selection of music and productions that any engineer could be offered. He left in 1991 to work internationally as a freelance engineer and producer.

He spent some considerable time working with Eric Woolfson, helping to develop three of his musicals, Gaudi, Gambler and Poe. This involved not only extensive programming, arranging, recording and mixing but also co-ordinating and consulting with sound designers, light designers, directors and various technicians within the theatre as well as of course the artists and ensembles for stage and cast CDs.

The enormous list of artists and producers that Haydn has worked with include George Martin, Pat Metheny, Paul McCartney, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sting, Trevor Horn, Mick Hucknall, Hans Zimmer, Elaine Page and Tori Amos.

Originally planning a career in medicine and teaching, Haydn studied for a degree in sociology whilst working for the piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons as a piano tuner/technician. Psychology proved to be, at the time, fascinating – particularly research into asylums and institutionalisation. Thus recording studios.

Travel has always been an enjoyable part of Haydn’s work and he has worked extensively in Europe, North America and Australasia. He now finds lecturing particularly stimulating and in between sessions writes for several industry magazines. He is a Director of the Music Producers Guild.

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