ARIF MARDIN - MUSIC PRODUCER MARDIN DIES

Legendary producer ARIF MARDIN, who worked with such artists as ARETHA FRANKLIN, DAVID BOWIE and DIANA ROSS, has died at the age of 74. Mardin passed away at his New York City home from pancreatic cancer Sunday (25JUN06), according to his longtime friend and colleague, IAN RALFINI. He established his reputation at Atlantic Records, where he worked as a producer and arranger from 1963 to 2001. After leaving Atlantic, he set up his own label at EMI, Manhattan Records, where his signings included NORAH JONES. Mardin worked for over four decades with artists including CARLY SIMON, BARBRA STREISAND, PHIL COLLINS, CHAKA KHAN and the BEE GEES. He was responsible for more than 40 gold and platinum albums and was named best producer at the Grammy Awards in 1976 and 2003. Mardin will be buried in his native Istanbul, Turkey next week (begs 03JUL06).