Jon Jacobs acquired a job as tape op-cum-tea boy at the famous AIR London Studios in 1978. About a year later, while Geoff Emerick was working there, Jon struck up a friendship with him, and found himself being asked to assist on future sessions. He became the assistant engineer during the recording sessions of Kate Bush’s third album Never For Ever.
A number of George Martin-produced albums followed, including several by Paul McCartney, and then, when Emerick moved to America, Jon became Martin’s right-hand man behind the console, progressing to the position of Chief Engineer at AIR.
Jacobs stayed there for 10 years, before branching out on his own and going freelance, since when his credits have included Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler, The Pretenders, Yes, The Waterboys, The Divine Comedy and Heaven 17. He’s also produced an Australian band, called The Slow Club, and undertaken a lot of co-production work with Graham Parker.