Wally Heider

Wally Heider (1923–1989) was an American recording engineer and recording studio owner (Wally Heider Studios.) After a distinguished career as an engineer in the 1940s and 1950s, he was instrumental in recording the San Francisco Sound in the late 60s and early 70s. A significant number of Rolling Stone Magazine's Top 500 albums were recorded in his studio including "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" by Neil Young with Crazy Horse, "Déjà Vu" by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, "Electric Warrior" by T.Rex, "Tupelo Honey" by Van Morrison, "Green River" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and "Abraxas" by Santana.

Though he had a chronic stutter and more than ample girth, nothing could stop him from refining and advancing the art of studio and remote recording. His high-energy style endeared him to many musical artists whose work was enhanced by his engineering techniques.

His initial collection of recordings, from his time as an engineer during the big band era, formed the basis of the Hindsight Records catalogue, acquired from Heider in 1979 by Thomas Gramuglia. Through Heider, Hindsight ended up owning over 9,000 copyrights and masters.