Hugh Padgham was among the most successful producers in contemporary British pop, perhaps best known for his extended collaboration with
Phil Collins. His career began during the early '80s, at which time he served as a recording engineer on high-profile projects including
Peter Gabriel's third solo LP,
XTC's
Black Sea, and
Yes'
Drama. In 1981,
Padgham graduated to production duties with
the Police's
Ghost in the Machine; that same year, he also produced
Collins'
Face Value, working with the singer on
Genesis'
Abacab as well. In 1982,
Padgham reunited with
Collins for
Hello, I Must Be Going!, while also working again with
XTC on the acclaimed
English Settlement and with
Split Enz on their
Time and Tide; all were very successful, and in the wake of the blockbuster sales of
the Police's 1983 LP
Synchronicity and
Genesis' self-titled smash, he became one of the most sought-after producers around.
Although
David Bowie's dismal 1984 effort
Tonight was a rare misstep,
Padgham returned to form a year later with
Collins' blockbuster
No Jacket Required, which won a Grammy as Album of the Year. After wrapping up work on
Genesis' 1986 smash
Invisible Touch, he worked with
Paul McCartney on
Press to Play, but maintained an increasingly low profile over the remaining years of the decade, scoring his greatest commercial success with
Collins' 1989 album
...But Seriously while also producing critically well-received efforts from
Julian Cope (
My Nation Underground) and
Julia Fordham (
Porcelain). In 1991,
Padgham reunited with
Sting for
The Soul Cages, and worked with
Michelle Shocked on Arkansas Traveler;
Sting's
Ten Summoner's Tales followed in 1993, as did
Melissa Etheridge's hit
Yes I Am. In 1996, he worked again with
Collins on
Dance into the Light and with
Sting on
Mercury Falling, effectively bringing his career full circle. During the 2000s
Padgham continued to work with
Sting, and also produced such albums as
In Violet Light (2002) by
the Tragically Hip and I Want You to Know That There Is Always Hope (2008) by
I Was a Cub Scout. ~ Jason Ankeny