Paul A. Rothchild

Paul A. Rothchild (April 18, 1935 - March 30, 1995) was a prominent American record producer of the late 1960s and 1970s, widely known for his historic work with The Doors, producing Janis Joplin's final album Pearl and early production of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Life and career

Early years

Born in Brooklyn, Rothchild grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey and graduated from Teaneck High School in 1953. His was a musical family; his mother was an opera singer, and Rothchild studied classical music conducting. According to Sports Illustrated journalist Bjarne Rostaing, in 1959 Paul was in the same Military Intelligence Corps (United States Army) unit as him.

Rothchild began his career on the Boston folk scene, recording and releasing recordings by local folk artists. He became a house producer for Jac Holzman's Elektra Records label in 1963; he worked extensively with noted recording engineers Bruce Botnick, John Haeny, Fritz Richmond, and William Gazecki.

In late 1964 Rothchild discovered Paul Butterfield and his band. A first attempt at recording them was shelved (though later released in the 1990s) but a later effort resulted in the band's self-titled debut release. Rothchild also produced the band's second album, East-West, one of the most influential albums of the 60's and the first example of what became acid rock.