Derek John Lawrence (16 November 1941 – 13 May 2020)[1] was an English record producer, famous for his work for Joe Meek's Outlaws,[2] Deep Purple,[3] Flash,[4] Machiavel, Wishbone Ash, and the Randy Rhoads era of Quiet Riot.
In the late 1960s, he worked for Harold Shampan at Film Music (part of Top Rank) and as freelance producer (inspired by Meek) for The Pretty Things, The Zephyrs, The V.I.P.
It was advice that they failed to heed, which led to the band's abrupt break up while on tour after the release of their third self-produced album, Out Of Our Hands (1973).
Lawrence co-produced Sullivan's new band Tiger,[5] featuring future Samson vocalist Nicky Moore, who released three albums before splitting up.
Returning to his home country in 1979, Lawrence reduced his involvement, but worked with both Carl Wayne and Hot Chocolate's Tony Wilson in the 1980s.