Grammy-Winning Sound Engineer Steve King Passes Away
(Crystal A. Proxmire, June 4, 2014)
“I’ve never known a gentler, kinder soul. I’ve never known someone as passionate about their craft. You have left us far too soon, but I can’t help but think of all the love and goodness you left imprinted on the Earth. I have so many fond memories…Hell, even the ones where we were getting into trouble. Thank you for everything. I love and miss you dude. Til next time…”
The comment left on the wall of sound engineer Steve King’s Facebook Page by Danny Emmerson sums up the sentiments of the dozens who are missing him since he passed away June 3 at the age of 56. King died of liver disease, survived by his wife Roberta and son Nick.
King worked primarily out of 54 Sound, a recording studio in Ferndale, and he lived in White Lake. He earned a Grammy in 2003 for his collaborative work on the album “The Eminem Show.” He worked closely with Eminem and many other musicians over the years, handling essential technical aspects of production.
He also was a musician himself, playing in several local bands including Coyote Monk, where he teamed up with poet M.L. Liebler.
Fellow audio engineer and mixer F.I. Freeman remembered King’s mentorship. “Back in the day, I would watch Steve come into Studio A at United Sound Systems Studios, with his KRK’s in hand and work magic. He handled every session and situation so graciously. If there was ever an issue… his favorite phrase at the time was, “We need to have a pow wow,” he said. “I don’t know if he realized the powerful positive impact he had on people… just by being himself.”
 
Gary Graff has done a thorough profile of King, found at http://www.theoaklandpress.com/arts-and-entertainment/20140604/grammy-award-winner-steve-king-remembered-for-the-great-music-he-made.