Wally Edward Traugott

FOREVER IN MY MEMORY AND IN MY HEART MOST BEAUTIFUL PERSON EVER. HE IS FOREVER IN MY MUSIC HE MASTERED.

Wally mastered a lot of my early records and actually cut a lot of vinyl for me. Id say he worked on maybe 20 or 25 records, all on the Moonshine label. What a great and talented guy. He was already a legend, but upon meeting him he treated me like an old friend, so humble! A lot can be learned about how someone with so much experience and credits treats the new kid on the block. RIP Wally.

took along time to find any of his music,..he could play boil em cabbage down better than any 1

Wally was very simply a legend. I feel lucky to have known him and worked with him at Capitol Records between 1995 when I began, and 1997 when he retired. He was a rare breed - one of the very first rock star' Mastering Engineers, THE go-to Mastering Engineer for top recording artists of his era.

He had an incredible work ethic, and was in at around 6 AM six days a week. Sometimes I'd be leaving the night shift and would see Wally coming in, it still dark outside.

He would impart priceless knowledge to young aspiring mastering engineers such as myself who often made clones' or copies of Wally's masters to be sent all around the world to CD pressing plants. He'd say, you need monitors you can relate to, that translate to other systems and if correctly mastered, you should be able to listen to an album top to bottom without touching the volume or EQ. Truer words were never spoken in the realm of mastering.

He was a class act all around, and had a personable, charismatic charm all the while sporting his trademark Clark Gable moustache.

Rest In Peace Wally!

~Evren Göknar

Wally was an amazing person. I am glad to have done a lot of work with him and to be considered his friend. RIP Wally !!!

Wally mastered three records for me and did an amazing job.
I brought him P. Hux "Deluxe" and I was thinking (cockily) "Well, there's probably not much Wally can do to improve THESE mixes." My record sounded hot, right?
After about an hour of Wally calmly doing his thing, his glasses dangling on a chain around his neck, he turned to me with one hand on an A-B switch and said, "Okay, Parthenon, here's what you brought in today." He played a bit of track one, and it sounded great. "And here's what I've done…". OMG. The clouds parted. The sun came out. The room smelled better. My ears got younger. I couldn't believe it! "Wally, WHAT DID YOU DO?" He chuckled and asked, "You like the direction I'm going in?" Uh, YEAH, that sounds good, Wally!" It was ridiculous. The next time I saw him I had him autograph a copy of "Deluxe" for me and it hangs on my studio wall at home.
I had no idea Wally passed away two years ago. My very best to his family. I was just crazy about him, his talent and his vibe. It was an honor to have three records improved by his magic touch.

Wally Traugott, a native of Kitchener, Ontario, was trained on the violin for years by popular teacher Rudy Roth. But fiddling came easy to Wally who had perfect pitch as well as complete retention of any tune he heard. He was considered as the finest fiddler ever to come out of Canada. I new Wally in his teens, when he was drafted by the new TV program, Main Street Jamboree in 1953 to be part of the Mainstreeters with Roly D’Eon, Lloyd Bank, Eddy Preston and Maurice Bolyer. From there it was a natural progression to join Tommy Hunter on CBC radio and a regular spot on Country Hoedown. Eventually, Wally relocated to California where he gave up his fiddle and went to work for Capital Records in mastering and engineering on many Capital cuts as well as for outside artists who came in to use his expertise at Capitol facilities. He became known as one of the best at his trade. It was a great loss when Wally put down his fiddle, and now an even greater loss at Wally’s passing.
Lynn Russwurm - Country Music Historian

I was very saddened when I saw Wally's name on the Grammies. He made everyone's music come alive. If I sent the wrong tape....boy did I hear it. I guess heaven needs someone to master the angels. You'll be missed by all of us.

Some of my most fun times in RR1 at Capital Records

Very saddened to hear of Wally's passing while watching the Grammies last night. I spent many years working across the hall from him at Capitol until I left in 1981. An amazing talent and the nicest person you could ever meet. Also sad to hear he was in Tucson where I've been since 1990 and I thought he was in Denver and didn't get in touch. He is missed.

It is with saddness that I came across Wally's obituary. I knew Wally when he was part of the Main Street Jamboree, back in Hamilton Ont. during the 50s.

I extend my condolenses to his family and many friends. Wally was a talented fiddler that had many friends in and around Hamilton and helped my brother when they appeared together on the show. Rest In Peace.

At Capitol, I first pressed records at the Capitol Pressing plant in Glendale. There, I saw Wally's name on the records as they emerged from the presses. (I thought, who is this Mastering Engineer who works on all of these great albums?)

Following many twists, turns, good friends and luck, I sat across the hallway from Wally for years. I came to know and care for this man as the countless front-line artists flowed through his Mastering Room, "RR1".

His skill, kindness and class brought artists from around the world to his Mastering Room until he retired.

I will always remember his kind words, great advice, love of the Lord and the respect that everyone had for Wally.

Thank you to all family members who shared Wally with us.

Rest well Wally!
Thank you for the blessings you brought to all of us who knew you.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Wally’s passing.

Wally was always approachable, friendly, honest, and caring. When you were with Wally, you had his full attention and he made you feel like family.

I will remember him for his gentle nature, his remarkable ear, and his willingness to guide me, as I became a Mastering Engineer at Capitol. In a field where most people guard their techniques as trade secrets, Wally was selfless. He would answer my questions openly and show me how to challenge myself and how to really listen. Wally was one of a kind. Irreplaceable. Quite simply, he was and always will remain: The Best. I hope he knows how grateful I am for the time he spent with me.

You will be missed. Rest in peace, friend.

It is with great sorrow that I heard about the passing of my uncle, Wally. It has been many years since I last saw him, and I regret that I will not have a chance to see him again. However, we are blessed by the many people who pass through our lives. Some of those people have a profound effect on those they touch. It can last regardless of the distances between us. When I think of Uncle Wally I remember the times we came to California to see him, my Aunt Lori, and Cousins Eddy and Sheraine. I remember a kind, generous man who had a quick sense of humour. He was free with his time and treated my family like his own, sharing with us his generosity and kind-heartedness. He will always be a cherished memory from my youth. I feel fortunate to have known him, and will miss him. If there is a heaven then it is a better place now that my Uncle Wally is there.

Wally was very much loved as a husband father, and grandfather and he is greatly missed. We, his family, are very proud of his recording accomplishments,his likeability as a person and man of faith. Our appreciation and thanks to all who have responded with kindness and condolences.
Lori Traugott and Family.

Thank you for all of the great sounding records you gave us. We have lost a legend. RIP Wally.

My deepest condolences goes out to his family. Everytime I read "Mastered by Wally Traugott" on a release I could be sure that it would sound great on any system I would listen to (no matter if in the studio, in the car or my little kitchen radio). Thanks so much for your great work - you'll never be forgotten.

My condolences. Wally's contributions to the music industry will live on for many years to come.

My deepest condolences to the Traugott family. Wally, thank you for your decades of wonderful work. Your familiar and distinctive signature in the runout groove of a LP or single was always a guarantee of a great sounding record. You will be missed by me and everyone who loved you and your great mastering work.

Thank you for making this memorial available Lori!!! We share your loss with you. We look foward to worshipping with Wally in the Kindgom!
2nd Corinthians 5:8 "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord"
Pastor Beau J. Ouellette
Calvary Christian Fellowship

Words can't express how sad we feel, and how we long for one more day, one more chance of being able to say good-bye.
Knowing the Lord is watching over Wally, gives us some comfort, in dealing with his passing,and we treasure the moments we shared as part of his life.
Wally will always be remembered as a brother to the both of us and the thoughts and memories of the times we had together will remain with us forever, in our hearts.
Our love, thoughts and prayers are with our dear sister Lori and our niece, nephew and their families at this time of sorrow.

The Traugott's were neighbors when our children were very small. We have been blessed with their friendship for many years, although we've not lived close for more than 30 yrs. When ever we reconnected it was as if there had been no space, we'd pick up right were we left off. Wally's legacy will live long after his home going, with the entertainment industry as well as with his wife, children and grandchildren. We have loved this family for more than 40 yrs. and our prayers are that your hearts will be comforted by the Holy Spirit, who is the comforter. God bless and keep you as your walk this difficult road of adjustment of life here on earth without your husband, father and grandfather. Much love and prayers, Bob & Mary Ellen, Newberg, OR

This man was not only a legend, but a great friend. I will miss his wit and friendly ways. The Lord be with you Wally. We will Keep Lori safe.
God Bless, Michael G. Veitch, Star, Idaho

Rest in peace Wally. My condolences to the family.

First, to Wally's wife Lori, their children and grandchildren, our heartfelt condolences to you all... In his last few years at the Tower, I remember some of his happiest days were the “travel days” – those days when Wally would mount up the white Bronco and drive from LA to Colorado, to “go play with those grand-babies”, as he would often say.

As a student of his, I could recount scores of technical pointers he taught me – all of which I still employ to this very day. However, one singe encounter with Wally stands apart from all the rest…

During my days on the night shift at Capitol, I would sometimes run into Wally coming in (at 6am!) as I was leaving. Once after a string of marathon short-turnaround days, he walked into Edit Room 2 just as I was finishing up. I was, of course, expecting Wally to perhaps give me a pat on the back or something – obviously he would be impressed with my stamina and dedication to the studio… Instead, he let loose on me with both barrels – “you’ve got a wife and a new baby boy at home… what are you doing here around the clock?”

“Listen”, he said sternly, looking straight at me over the top of those glasses… “Nobody’s gonna remember anything we do here 10 minutes after we walk out on our last day, but your family will remember… they’ll remember all the time you spent at work instead of with them, and that’s time you can NEVER get back!” He was so absolutely on the money – except for how this logic applied to him.

If I may be so bold, I would venture to say that long after the Capitol Tower is gone and RR1 has been turned into a condo or outsourced to something insignificant, we will ALL remember Wally, what he contributed to the Capitol Records sound, and his heralded place in mastering history – and the impact he had on each of our lives.

I will never forget him.

C-YA BUDDY!!

My condolences to Wally's family. When Wally was master mastering guy at Capitol, and I was in the PR dept. upstairs on 9th floor, he'd let me be a fly on the wall in his studio as he worked. I cherish those memories. He was a great guy, with great ears.

Wally was hidden treasure at Capitol Studios. Humbly tucked away in his corner mastering room Wally mastered hit after hit. The former TV salesman, who became a driver for Capitol Records original president Glenn Wallichs, mixed audio excellence with a winning personality to impress and charm some of the most challenging clients in Pop music. Wally was the sound of Capitol Studios. Wally’s professionalism and work ethic were surpassed only by the love of his family. I was grateful and honored to work with Wally and I’m deeply saddened by his passing he left us far too soon, I will miss him.

My condolences to his family and friends, God Bless All.

I had the honor of working with Wally several times, starting in 1987. He spoiled me for everyone else. So much so that I begged him to come in and master an album for me about 3 months after he'd retired, and of course, in he came.
I knew I was in the most expert hands in the business, but he was constantly humble and collaborative, always making it feel like a team effort.
I'm grateful to have known him, and really glad to say that the last time I saw him, we parted with a big hug.
My heart goes out to his loved ones.

Wally Traugott was a great mastering engineer not only for his technical skill and his inspiring work ethic, but especially for his amazing bedside manner. He held my hand through every project I did from 1971 until he retired, including Little River Band, Quarterflash, Charlie Daniels, and Boston. My hearfelt condolences to his family - he will be greatly missed.

RIP, Wally, we will enjoy your works in perpetuity.

Wally was a great inspiration to me both professionally and personally. He was the consummate professional at the studios with an attention to detail like no other, balanced by a warm and accessible personality. He made everyone feel like a star when they walked into his studio. Of course most knew it was the other way around…an amazing engineer but an even more amazing person. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.

Wally always said his greatest joy in life came from his family. I hope he spent his retirement years enjoying them.

My condolences to the Traugott Family. Wally was a remarkable engineer who brought joy to millions of listeners. See ya on the flip-side brother.

Wally set the bar high with his mastering. I enjoyed a few conversations with him before he left Capitol's hallowed halls. I am sure the fish are biting up in heaven. God bless.

I never told you this Wally, but the first time you mastered one of my projects I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. You taught me to be a better recording and mixing engineer and you always treated my independent projects with the same care and respect you would Streisand or Pink Floyd. Your great work lives on. Rest in peace.

A man of great talent, energy and character. From a career as a fine fiddle player straight into a second career as a stellar mastering engineer! Wow! I will always remember his kindness, warmth and brilliance. Not a day goes by it seems where I don't think about something he taught me. God bless, Wally...

I will always be grateful for all the things he taught me and how patient he was with me when I was learning. I always look for him in the wax on albums I pick up - it's like having a friend in every record and I know it's gonna sound great! Thanks Wally! My condolences to his family.

It was an honor to work with you for so many years at Capitol. Greatly missed by family and friends God Bless all.

Charlie Paakkari

My heartfelt condolences to the Traugott family. Wally was my mentor and friend. He was a great mastering engineer and laid claim to some of the greatest albums of all time. Beyond that he was a wonderful human being with a great sense of humor and a heart of gold. He will be greatly missed and I am blessed to have known him through work and as a person. The history of Capitol Records will always include Wally Traugott. Thank you Wally... God Bless.

I believe that's the picture I took for the Wally Baseball card in RR1.

We'll see you on the Dark Side of The Moon.

My very deepest condolences goes out to his family. Wally was a fixture there when I did a lot of my work at Capitol studios. A fun guy that really knew his stuff. After he left the tower, it was always great working in his room with Kevin Reeves. They sure don't make them like Wally anymore folks! God Bless.

My sincere condolences to the Traugott family. I first met Wally when I joined the production department at Capitol in 1983. To me he was more than a great mastering engineer. He was a master human being and always a pleasure to work with. I will miss him, but remember him always.

It was a complete honor to know and work with Wally at Capitol.
I am grateful for the privilege to have known him and for his family
who shared him with friends and co-workers all those years. God Bless, Kim Niemi

Wally will live on in my memory. It was an honor working with him during our time together at Capitol Records. My condolences to his family

Thank you for so many years of transforming the artist's dreams into a reality. God bless you.

My condolences to the family. A "Wally" or "Wly" inscribed on an LP always told me that a deeply musical and talented mastering engineer had done his best to give me the most involving, dynamic, and melodic experience possible. Wally's work was evidently a labor of love for him. To have been the beneficiary of that love is a great privilege, and I am grateful for it. Wally is gone, but his name and his work will live on. I hope that knowledge is some comfort for those he has left behind. He will be sorely missed.

Wally,

Thank God that you had a wonderful life and truly made a major impact on this world. I will continue to treat people and music as you taught me to. I will see you in heaven.

God bless you and your wonderful family.
This world will miss you.

Thank you Mr. Traugott for all of the wonderful sounds you brought us over the years. You will be missed by many, rest in peace.

Although we never met, Wally was responsible for bringing me a lot of joy growing up in the 70's. His work as a mastering engineer was stellar - if you saw his initials in the dead wax of an album you KNEW it would sound amazing. He is one of the rare true masters in the art of mastering for vinyl.

My condolences to the family and those who loved him on your loss...know that many of those who love vinyl will be keeping his memory alive by playing all of the great records he mastered. Rest in peace, Wally :)

May your eternity be filled with the same quality sounds you gave to everyone who were fortunate to have heard your work. RIP Mr Traugott

Wally, thank you for giving us a lot of great sounding music over the years at Capitol Mastering. You are a legend.