Musicians pay tribute to much-loved Bristol producer

Bristol musicians are mourning ‘incredibly intelligent, kind and thoughtful’  music producer Andy Henderson who passed away from cancer last month.

Henderson was an integral part of the musical journey of many well-known Bristol artists, including Ray Mighty of trip hop group Smith & Mighty, Roni Size and Reprazent, Breakbeat Era, Dr Meaker and Joker.

Andy’s long-time friend Gus Pirelli organised a gathering on the Downs to celebrate the life of the producer who was known for his talent and generosity.

“An incredibly encouraging person, who always shared his knowledge, Andy will be sorely missed,” said Gus. “His sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for making sure everybody’s studios were operating at the top of their game was second to none.”

Andy at work in his home studio

Gus recalled Andy’s career which began in Liverpool in the ‘90s, when analogue was the standard recording format.

He was an early adopter of the digital recording system Pro Tools, which led to him working with major acts including Fleetwood Mac and Alison Moyet.

Andy moved from Liverpool to Bath, where he worked at Moles Studio, and then on to Bristol, where he set up Channel House Recording Studios. It was here, in around 1996, that he met Roni Size, Krust, Die, D-Product & Suv and Way Out West.

Roni Size has warm memories of Andy, who he described as a unique character.

“For those producers and DJs that come from Bristol, we knew how reliable and how dedicated Andy was to helping all of us progress, unconditionally and with no agenda except helping us do well,” he told Bristol24/7.

“He taught all of us something really special and he did it with such humility. He’d probably have a little smile on his face, without taking any credit – that’s the type of person he was.”

Andy with Dr Meaker at one of their early sessions together

In the early 2000s Andy relocated to a private studio at his house in Westbury-On-Trym. “Armed with a deep knowledge of everything studio-related, he was able to build, from scratch, a studio that could rival any established commercial facility,” said Gus.

It was at his home studio that he worked with Massive Attack’s Angelo Bruschini, Ray Mighty, Joker, drum and bass producer Dr Meaker, Skindred, Decimals, Alex Taylor, The Hunna, Gonga – with Portishead’s Beth Gibbons – and even boxer Joe Calzaghe.

In 2020 he set up Komplex Studio in partnership with David Francolini, drummer with Levitation, Dark Star and Dragons.

Dr Meaker shared fond memories of working with Henderson, who he described as a ‘borderline genius’ with a real sense of humour. “When it came to sound engineering and electronics he was a total nerd – his knowledge was incredible,” he said.

“Andy played a big part in helping me develop my sound engineering skills and helped with some of our best work – including Fighter, Freaks, Right Back, Fear and Remedy.

“He was such a generous person with his time and energy, and his knowledge is irreplaceable.”

Dr Meaker said Andy was always encouraging and played a significant role in his career.

“Andy was the person that persuaded me to give up the day job at the age of 34,” he recalled. “He said ‘you can continue sitting at a desk when you’re 44 if it all goes wrong – but you might never get this chance again!’

“This was Andy’s gift – to get straight to the heart of the matter and always see the bigger picture, giving life changing yet simple advice which I’m forever grateful for.

“I will really miss Andy and Bristol won’t be the same without him.”

Jody Wisternoff, half of the progressive house duo Way Out West that was born in a Bristol record shop, and DJ at Lakota’s jungle night Temptation, remembered working with Andy.

“He was at Channel House back in the day when me and DJ Nick Warren were there. We worked on loads of Way Out West stuff together and more recently with him on The Bridge,” he said.

“He was a technical wizard and lovely generous bloke. His entire house seemed to be one huge studio and repair facility. Gutted you have gone my friend.”

All photos – Clive Meaker

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