Shelly Yakus is a true living legend of music and recording. His mixing and engineering work has helped shape the sound of rock and pop music. With credits including Tom Petty, John Lennon, Patti Smith, U2, Van Morrison, The Band, Lou Reed, Stevie Nicks, Meatloaf, Madonna, the list goes on and on, and on. Shelly has an unrivaled work ethic and deep understanding of the studio, knowledge that he has passed down to generations of engineers and producers who have had the pleasure of working with him. This is part one of a two-part interview with Shelly, where he shares some of that wisdom, along with stories from the studio and his personal journey through the music industry, from working at his father’s Ace Recording Studios in Boston, To New York City’s Record Plant, building studios for A&M Records, and beyond.