Los Angeles, CA -- You might not have heard of Tom Dowd, but, chances are, you've heard his contributions to music.

Dowd is the engineer who helped pioneer the use of eight-track tapes in recording studios and sat behind the boards during classic performances by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Eric Clapton.

Although Dowd died in 2002, his career is getting a new look thanks to a documentary, "Tom Dowd And The Language Of Music."

Producer Mark Moorman says Dowd deserves an exalted place in pop culture for his musical contributions -- but the engineering pioneer impacted history in other fields as well.

When Dowd was 16, he worked on the Manhattan Project and helped contribute to the development of the Atomic Bomb.

Moorman says Dowd didn't reap financial benefits from his musical or nuclear career but hopes the documentary elevates his place in history.

Bookmarking & Link Destinations

Additional Local Aretha Franklin News Archives

• Akon, Sheryl Crow Among Universal Orlando Mardi Gras Performers
• Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" Is Most Played Song Of Decade
• VH1 Starts Friday Night Concert Series With Madonna, Lady Gaga
• At Kennedy Awards, Obama Reveals Personal Touch Of Jazz In His Life
• Flash Lites November 16th, 2004 - Rip 'N' Read Recap

Discover a rich world filled with incredible fun in this new adventure for all ages. An assortment of super fun.

More Weird News From 2004-09-14 The day's stories from around the world. Around The Weird - Bizarre News Briefs for September 14th, 2004 Flash Lites September 14th, 2004 - Rip 'N' Read Recap New Documentary Tracks Life Of Recording Pioneer Michelle Shocked Is Shocked At How Much Spanish She Knows Reality Producers Reuniting Daughters With Daddies Clinton Wants Miami Hotties To Vote Woman Works To Restore Quilts -- 'No Sheet' All Eyes On Sarah Jessica Parker's Outfit At Emmys This Year 'Playboy' Not Alienating For E.T.-Loving Women Tanks For The Memories Democrats More Likely To Steal Hotel Towels Than Republicans « Current Weird News Stories

Watch one of our weird and wacky online videos. A Monster Dump Drumguhwhamahee ... new videos »   ... top watched »   ... editor's picks »