Audio and mix engineer Ethan Willoughby has died after being hit by a drunk driver.
Known for his work with artists such as Sergio Mendes, Busta Rhymes, The Game Macy Gray, John Legend and Black Eyed Peas, Willoughby was a graduate of the US's Conservatory Of Recording Arts And Sciences, and began his career working as assistant to another celebrated mix engineer, Dave Pensado, at the Enterprise Studio in Hollywood. Pensado says: "Of all the people I've known in the music business, Ethan had the purest love and enjoyment for what he did. Everyone he touched was better off for knowing him".
Willoughby's work on Justin Timberlake's 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' garnered him a 2007 Grammy nomination, fulfilling his ambition to be thus nominated before the age of thirty. Timberlake said: "I am deeply saddened by this loss... Ethan Willoughby was not only an amazing talent in the studio, but also an amazing person. We will all miss his presence and his love for music. We love you dearly, Ethan and we will carry on your love for what we hold so dear. A true gift to our industry... A loyal friend to me. See you in the next one, my man".
will.i.am Peas paid tribute: "Ethan was one of the few people I trusted with my music, to mix it and make it sound perfect," adding that Willoughby was "one of the nicest, kindest people that God blessed us with".
Willoughby is survived by his wife and two daughters, his parents and sister. A memorial is to be held Saturday at 9am at the Morning View Studios in Malibu.