John Fry of Ardent Studios Dead at 69, Founder Produced Records by Led Zeppelin, The White Stripes, Big Star

"Your moods are affected by your surroundings," he once said. "I think there is something that operates in Memphis...and at Ardent. I can't explain what it is. You come record here, something good happens to you."

Fry unfortunately was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, but Big Star drummer Jody Stephens, who is the GM for the Ardent Music company, said the producer was in good spirits during his final days before suffering a cardiac event.

"He was actually doing alright," Stephens added. "He was still active. He was around the studio the week before. He was taking it easy, but we all figured that was the right steps for him to take and that he would be fine. So it was a great surprise."

Ardent spawned more than 70 gold and platinum albums/singles during Fry's lifetime.

Artists took to Twitter to pay their respects.

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Big Star, Led Zeppelin, Zz top, The Allman Brothers Band, The White Stripes