Podcast Summary: All Of It – Episode "Production Duo Wendy & Lisa"

Host: Tiffany Hansen (filling in for Alison Stewart)
Release Date: March 28, 2025
Duration: Approximately 25 minutes

1. Introduction to the Episode and Guests

The episode begins with Tiffany Hansen introducing the theme of the day, which is part of WNYC's Women's History Month series titled "Equalizers: Women in Music Production." The focus is on Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, the first women ever nominated for the Grammy for Producer of the Year as part of Prince and the Revolution. They are joined by Susan Rogers, Prince's longtime staff engineer and a prominent figure in music production education.

Notable Quote:

"Today, we're revisiting conversations in our Women's History Month series, Equalizers, Women in Music Production." (00:38)

2. Purple Rain Era and Grammy Nominations

Tiffany Hansen sets the stage by highlighting the significance of Wendy and Lisa's contributions to Prince and the Revolution, particularly during the "Purple Rain" era. Released in 1984, "Purple Rain" earned the band Grammy nominations for Producer of the Year and Album of the Year, marking a historic moment for women in music production.

Notable Quote:

"Purple Rain came out in 1984 and earned the band that nomination, as well as one for Album of the Year." (01:58)

3. Roles and Approaches to Production

The conversation delves into the roles Wendy and Lisa played as producers. Lisa Coleman discusses her inclination towards production as an integral part of music-making, rather than viewing it as a separate role. She emphasizes the natural integration of producing within the creative process.

Notable Quote:

"I never really thought of myself as a producer. I just thought I was a music maker." (04:03)

Wendy Melvoin echoes this sentiment, explaining how their partnership inherently involved producing each other, creating a dynamic and collaborative environment.

4. Collaboration with Susan Rogers

Susan Rogers joins the discussion, bringing her extensive experience as Prince's staff engineer and her work with other notable artists. She highlights the intense and collaborative nature of their work during the "Purple Rain" sessions, reflecting on the mix of talent, energy, and dedication that defined that period.

Notable Quote:

"We were young and we had that combination of seriousness that young people have and great doubt and then overconfidence." (09:05)

5. Song Highlight: "Let's Go Crazy"

The episode features a segment of Prince's "Let's Go Crazy," one of the iconic tracks from "Purple Rain." This serves as a backdrop for further discussions on the production techniques and the creative atmosphere of the time.

Notable Quote:

"This life, you're on your own. And if the elevator tries to break." (08:17)

6. Reflections on Working with Prince and the Revolution

Wendy and Lisa share their memories of working with Prince and the Revolution. Wendy describes the unique energy and the high level of commitment from everyone involved, which contributed to the extraordinary quality of their work.

Notable Quote:

"The energy was huge." (09:48)

Lisa adds that their daily routines were intense, involving long hours of recording, rehearsing, and creative exercises, which shaped their professional lives profoundly.

Notable Quote:

"It was our life. That's how we spent our life." (10:35)

7. Skills and Contributions of Wendy & Lisa

Susan Rogers praises Wendy and Lisa's innate musicality and technical skills. She highlights Wendy's exceptional guitar work and Lisa's mastery of keyboards, noting their ability to create and sculpt music with both a gentle and firm hand.

Notable Quote:

"They are so deeply, innately musical. When Lisa's on a keyboard, especially on piano, you can just feel her heart going right to her hands." (11:23)

Wendy and Lisa emphasize the importance of having a collaborative partner in production, which allowed them to push creative boundaries and produce exceptional music.

8. Challenges and Strategies for Women in Music Production

The discussion shifts to the challenges women face in the music production industry. Susan Rogers and Patrice Rushin explore the systemic issues that hinder women's participation and advancement. They advocate for creating more opportunities and providing encouragement for women to enter and thrive in production roles.

Notable Quotes:

"We need to allow women the room and space and the encouragement to do it." (19:11)
"It's going to take some time. ... people let go of the just the automatic default goes to man." (20:40)

Wendy and Lisa concur, emphasizing the need to change the automatic bias that assumes producers are male and to support women in breaking into various genres beyond pop music.

Notable Quote:

"I think it's going to take a long time before a lot of records are produced by women and people let go of the automatic default goes to man." (20:40)

9. Involvement in Prince Documentary

The conversation touches on the new documentary about Prince, which includes perspectives from Wendy and Lisa. Both express mixed feelings about their participation, acknowledging the complexity and emotional weight of recounting their experiences. They highlight the challenges of portraying authentic narratives amidst ongoing complications.

Notable Quotes:

"I think it's a shame that it ended up being as complicated and fraught as it ended up being." (22:31)
"We were pretty raw emotionally about the whole thing." (23:39)

Wendy mentions the pressure and the personal nature of contributing to the documentary, recognizing their role in preserving Prince's legacy while navigating personal sentiments.

10. Conclusion

The episode concludes with reflections on the enduring impact of Wendy and Lisa's work with Prince and their ongoing efforts to support and inspire women in music production. Tiffany Hansen wraps up by teasing the next installment of the "Equalizers" series, promising more insightful conversations with influential women in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Trailblazers in Production: Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman broke barriers as the first women nominated for Grammy Producer of the Year, setting a precedent for future female producers.

• Collaborative Creativity: Their work with Prince and the Revolution was marked by intense collaboration, mutual production, and a shared commitment to excellence.

• Technical Mastery and Musicality: Both Wendy and Lisa possess exceptional technical skills and a deep musical intuition, enabling them to create innovative and emotionally resonant music.

• Advocacy for Women: The episode underscores the ongoing challenges women face in music production and highlights the need for systemic changes to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.

• Legacy and Documentation: Wendy and Lisa's involvement in documenting Prince's legacy reflects their dedication to preserving authentic narratives amidst personal and professional complexities.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Purple Rain came out in 1984 and earned the band that nomination, as well as one for Album of the Year." – Tiffany Hansen (01:58)

• "I never really thought of myself as a producer. I just thought I was a music maker." – Lisa Coleman (04:03)

• "The energy was huge." – Wendy Melvoin (09:48)

• "We need to allow women the room and space and the encouragement to do it." – Lisa Coleman (19:11)

• "I think it's going to take a long time before a lot of records are produced by women and people let go of the automatic default goes to man." – Allison Stewart (20:40)

• "I think it's a shame that it ended up being as complicated and fraught as it ended up being." – Wendy Melvoin (22:31)

This episode of "All Of It" offers a comprehensive look into the pioneering roles Wendy and Lisa have played in music production, their collaborative synergy with Prince, and the broader conversation around gender dynamics in the industry. It serves as both an inspiration and a call to action for fostering greater inclusivity and recognition of women behind the scenes in music.