Rick Rubin did not become one of the greatest music producers of all time by having technical talent. The guy can’t even play an instrument. However, what has made him successful is his ability to tap into an artist and provide them with what they need. In a sense, he’s a guru and or a guardian angel. As a matter of fact, that unofficial religious title came to fruition when Rick Rubin produced Johnny Cash at the end of his career.
At the end of his career, Rick Rubin produced Johnny Cash’s American Recordings, Unchained, American IV: The Man Comes Around, Unearthed, American V: A Hundred Highways, and American VI: Ain’t No Grave. That being said, the two spent a lot of time together, and consequently, Rubin and Cash figured out what best helped their creative process. Which, ironically, was by taking Communion every day while they were recording albums together.
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Rick Rubin Recalls How “Powerful” the Experience Felt
In an interview with NPR, Rick Rubin recalled how the idea to take Communion came about. He told the publication that “from the time he got sick, we did it every day.”
“I said, ‘I’ve never done Communion,’” Rubin continued. “And he’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a beautiful practice. Let’s do it together.’ And then we did it together in person the first time. And then I said, ‘Well, while you’re sick, should we just continue doing it every day?’ And he’s like, ‘Great, let’s do it.’”
Rubin’s agreement to perform Communion with Cash seemingly came from both a place of personal curiosity and selfless generosity. Though after performing it so many times, it seems Rubin took quite a liking to it, even though he confessed to not being a practicing Christian.
Concerning the personal effects it had on him, Rubin divulged, “I’m a believer. And I got to share it with him, and he was a believer. And this was his way of believing.”
“So I got to experience his way of believing with him,” he continued. “And it was beautiful and I truly believe it enriched my life. It’s not calculable how powerful it felt.”
Given that Cash was sick at the time, it seems the Communion gave him faith in a time of uncertainty. After all, Communion serves many people in this very way. However, it seems Rubin’s desire to do this didn’t come from the same place. Rather, it seems Rubin performed Communion with Cash not only to comfort him, but also to explore his own spirituality. In all, this story articulates why Rick Rubin is a legendary record producer, as it shows that he is willing to try anything for the sake of the art and the artist.
Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Spotify
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