Ted Templeman

“Classic rock fans will dig Templeman’s insider view of the music business.” – Publishers Weekly

“Templeman (via Renoff) comes off as an engaging and friendly narrator and tour guide behind the making of some of classic rock’s greatest records.” – Houston Press

“[Templeman] and Renoff have undertaken a challenging task in chronicling his extensive career, but the result is a fascinating account of a panoramic musical journey.” – Pop Matters

“Entertainment options have dwindled during this stay-at-home period in history. But books are still ripe for exploration, and Templeman’s life proved to be fertile ground.” – Tulsa World

“Rock music fans would enjoy this read, especially fans of The Doobies, Michael McDonald, and Van Halen. It is a lengthy book for a person with a lengthy career.” – Lance Writes blog

Blurb:

“The Doobies owe so much to Ted Templeman. He took this little old biker band from San Jose and turned us into a well-oiled machine. He understood that the Doobies had the talent and songs to make great albums ― we just needed someone to help us combine all of our musical components into something special that could connect with the audience. His deep musical roots, and familiarity with so many songs, artists, and styles, enabled us to experiment in the studio in ways we never would have imagined. We had so much fun making those records, and I think they still stand up today.” ― Pat Simmons, founding member of the Doobie Brothers, Class of 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee

Crafting smash hits with Van Halen, The Doobie Brothers, Nicolette Larson, and Van Morrison, legendary music producer Ted Templeman changed the course of rock history

This autobiography (as told to Greg Renoff) details Templeman’s remarkable life from child jazz prodigy in Santa Cruz, California, in the 1950s to Grammy-winning music executive during the ’70s and ’80s. Along the way, Ted details his late ’60s stint as an unlikely star with the sunshine pop outfit Harpers Bizarre and his grind-it-out days as a Warner Bros. tape listener, including the life-altering moment that launched his career as a producer: his discovery of the Doobie Brothers.

Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer’s Life in Music takes us into the studio during the recording sessions for the biggest songs of his career, including No. 1 hits like “Black Water” by the Doobie Brothers and “Jump” by Van Halen. Along the way, Ted recounts the behind-the-scenes dramas that engulfed both massively successful acts, as well as the inner workings of his professional and personal relationships with some of the most talented and successful artists in rock music history, including Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Eric Clapton, Lowell George of Little Feat, Sammy Hagar, Michael McDonald, Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, and David Lee Roth and Edward Van Halen of Van Halen.