Producer David Kahne: A Remembrance Of Howie Klein

This continues our tributes and reminiscences about this site's founder Howie Klein. For others in this series, click on the tag "Howie" at the end of any of these posts.

David Kahne was the original in-house producer of records for Howie's 415 Records label. In the ensuing years, right up to and including today, he's been one of the most in-demand producers in the music world, producing not only Romeo Void and Translator for 415, but also Tony Bennett, Paul McCartney, Fishbone, Sublime, Sugar Ray, The Bangles, Lana Del Rey and numerous others for various labels.

---

In 1978, I went to see a new band at The Stone in S.F. I was the phone-answering guy at Wally Heider Recording on Hyde St, and I was always searching out new bands to develop. I could use the studio when a room was vacant, a perk added to compensate for my $2.75/hr salary.

A radio D.J., Beverly Wilshire, was there to see the band, and I knew her a little, having met her at the studio. I said hi, she was talking to a guy, and said, “Oh David, you should meet Howie Klein, he has a really cool record label.” And she said to Howie, “David works at Heider’s and he has free use of the studio during off hours.” Howie was immediately interested. He asked if I did production and engineering, and I said yes, and he said “I want to show you a band I’m working with. I think you’ll love them.” And, I did. It was Romeo Void.

I saw them at Mabuhay Gardens, did some rehearsals, and Howie approved the album to be made. Budget of $3,800. Got it done, and dropped by Howie’s little office space one day, and he was working the single, calling all the FM stations, sending cassettes out to college D.J.s, getting reviews placed in music mags. And he did it all off the top of his head, remembering every person, every address, phone number, never looking at his Rolodex once in over an hour. I sat there amazed, watching and hearing him do his magic with such control and steady passion.

We were off and running, continuing on with Pearl Harbor and the Explosions, Red Rockers, Translator, Pop-O-Pies, and more. Howie then made his deal with Columbia, and distribution was more solid, budgets were a little better, and I ended up with an A&R job at the label.

Years later, Howie had become President of Reprise, and asked me to come on as head of A&R. I’d been producing independently, having left Columbia. Sublime and Sugar Ray were doing well, but I wanted to work with Howie again. And once again, I was watching him do his magic with the music. Alanis, Joni, support for all the new acts…

I left in 2005, after the climate had changed there, and Howie stayed on for a bit, then left also. And his deep dive into political and social justice began in earnest, building “DownWithTyranny” into a great force for fairness and good. His writing and networking every day continued until the very end, even through several intense health challenges. He was still always one-on-one against the evils in the system, and faced them steadfastly.

The last time I spoke to him, it seemed that he had crossed the line, embraced the journey to the other side. It was in his manner and tone. He was steadfast and brave about his last endeavour, facing quietly but squarely into the wind.

I think of him every day now, and thank him for what he showed me, his determination and will to do the right things and stand up for the truth, both in society and in artistry.

Rest in Peace, my wonderful friend.