Matthew James Aitken (born 25 August 1956) is an English songwriter and record producer, brought up in Astley, Greater Manchester, best known as the creative force behind the 1980s/early-1990s songwriting/production trio Stock Aitken Waterman.
They both later teamed up with Pete Waterman, and went from small independent record labels to the major RCA Records, producing myriad hits.
[1] According to Waterman, Aitken was a noted perfectionist, particularly when it came to his guitar solos.
[2] After the partnership split up in 1991,[3] Aitken went into a period of retirement, raising his daughters, and pursuing hobbies such as auto racing.
He later returned to the music industry in 1994[3]—partnering with Mike Stock once again and having success with acts such as Nicki French, Scooch, and Robson & Jerome—before seemingly retiring again in 2002.