Paul A. Rothchild

The producer of the first five Doors albums and Janis Joplin's Pearl.

Paul Allen Rothchild (April 18, 1935 – March 30, 1995) was a prominent American record producer of the 1960s and 1970s. He is widely known for his historic work with the Doors, producing their first five albums. Rothchild also produced Janis Joplin's final album, Pearl, and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's first two releases. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, he graduated from high school in 1954 before studying classical music conducting. He began his career on the Boston folk scene with local artists like the Charles River Valley Boys before becoming a house producer for Elektra Records in 1964.

Quick Facts

Birth name

Paul Allen Rothchild

Born

18 April 1935

Birthplace

Brooklyn, New York, United States

Died

30 March 1995

Place of death

Hollywood, California, United States

Genre

Rock
folk
pop

Occupation

Producer

Years active

c. 1960–1995

Lore & Background

Rothchild established himself in the Los Angeles music scene by the mid-1960s, living in a Laurel Canyon house on Lookout Mountain that hosted many future superstars. He produced a demo for Crosby, Stills & Nash that helped secure their recording contract. Rothchild was known for his meticulous approach to recording, but contrary to some claims, he did not originate a 'LEDO' concept, and there is no widely documented account of him convincing Joni Mitchell to produce her own work. According to Nash's autobiography Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll Life, the experience with Rothchild convinced Crosby, Stills and Nash that they did not need a producer.

Reader's Guide

Paul A. Rothchild is best known for producing the first five albums by the Doors. He did not produce their last album with Jim Morrison, L.A. Woman, because he withdrew from production after disagreeing with the group over the band's musical direction. His discography includes work with John Sebastian, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Tom Paxton, Fred Neil, Tom Rush, the Lovin' Spoonful, Tim Buckley, Love, Clear Light, Rhinoceros, and Janis Joplin. For Joplin, he produced her final LP Pearl and her only no. 1 single, "Me and Bobby McGee," written by Kris Kristofferson. In the 1970s, he also produced the first two albums for the Tampa band Outlaws for Arista Records, as well as albums for Bonnie Raitt and Elliott Murphy.

Did You Know?

Rothchild was portrayed by Michael Wincott in Oliver Stone's film The Doors.
The Paul Butterfield Blues Band members, whom Rothchild produced for their first two albums, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.