Hal Willner the long-time sketch music producer for “Saturday Night Live” has died of complications related to the coronavirus.
He was 64.
Blake Zidell, Willner’s representative confirmed his death and said the music producer had “symptoms consistent with COVID-19,” although he was not formally diagnosed, USA Today reported.
SNL veteran Julia Louis-Dreyfus tweeted: “Absolutely devastated to get this news about my weird and lovely pal, Hal. We are heartbroken.”
Willner had produced albums from the likes of Marianne Faithful and Lou Reed, according to Variety.
A statement on Reed’s official Twitter account read:
“Earlier today Hal Willner passed away. Hal was one of Lou’s dearest friends and his sudden departure is a heavy blow. Please keep his family in your thoughts. If you can, light a candle for Hal. Please stay home and stay safe.”
At one point, Reed and Willner had hosted a show on SiriusXM. Willner also had overseen a box set of Reed’s solo albums released after Reed’s death.
“We were kind of best friends,” Willner said in 2017, according to Rolling Stone.
And NME noted Willner also was known for putting together an array of talent for various tributes – including 1988’s “Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films.” That tribute included Ringo Starr, Michael Stipe and Bonnie Rait.
Jeffrey Rodack ✉
Jeffrey Rodack, who has nearly a half century in news as a senior editor and city editor for national and local publications, has covered politics for Newsmax for nearly seven years.
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