Ron Nevison established himself as a prominent force in the rock and hard rock production landscape, building a career characterized by both technical precision and commercial impact. His entry into the industry began in the early 1970s, where his engineering talents were utilized on significant projects such as The Who's Quadrophenia and the debut album by Bad Company. By the middle of that decade, his studio capabilities were further showcased through his engineering work on Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti. Transitioning into the role of a producer, Nevison became a architect of the arena-rock sound that dominated the charts throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. His early production efforts included Dave Mason's Let It Flow and notable collaborations with the band UFO, most notably the widely acclaimed live release Strangers in the Night, as well as their studio efforts Lights Out and Obsession. Throughout the 1980s, Nevison played a central role in shaping the commercial trajectories of several major acts. His work with Heart on their self-titled album and the follow-up Bad Animals helped define the band's mid-decade resurgence. Similarly, his tenure with Survivor, covering their self-titled debut, Vital Signs, and When Seconds Count, underscored his ability to craft radio-friendly rock records. Nevison’s resume also reflects deep integration within the 1980s metal and hard rock movements. He was at the helm for Ozzy Osbourne's The Ultimate Sin and the KISS album Crazy Nights. His production touch extended to the Jefferson Starship, encompassing their releases Freedom at Point Zero, Modern Times, and Nuclear Furniture, as well as the later reunion project Jefferson Airplane. His versatility as a producer allowed him to work across a broad spectrum of the industry, evidenced by his credits on the Damn Yankees self-titled project and its successor, Don't Tread, along with contributions to Eddie Money's Playing for Keeps and David Johansen's Live It Up. As the industry moved into the 1990s, Nevison continued his production work, contributing to albums by Chicago such as Twenty 1 and various compilations like The Heart Of Chicago 1967-1997. His work with Vince Neil on Exposed and Meat Loaf on Welcome to the Neighborhood further highlighted his role in producing established rock artists. Throughout his career, Nevison's contributions to the studio process have been recognized with multiple nominations for Grammy Awards, and his consistent performance on the charts earned him acknowledgment as a Billboard Top-5 Producer of the Year on four separate occasions. His discography remains a testament to a career defined by extensive collaboration with influential artists ranging from the Michael Schenker Group and The Babys to Lynyrd Skynyrd and Europe.
moreAlbum — Top 200
Obsession
Released in 1978, Obsession stands as the seventh studio album by English rock band UFO and holds a significant place in the group's rich history. Most notably, this record marked the final studio release to feature virtuoso lead guitarist Michael Schenker until his eventual return to the fold in 1993. The core lineup for the sessions consisted of vocalist Phil Mogg, lead guitarist Michael Schenker, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Paul Raymond, bassist Pete Way, and drummer Andy Parker. Behind the mixing board, the band worked with producer Ron Nevison, while the recording sessions themselves took on a distinct atmosphere, having been conducted inside an abandoned post office located in Los Angeles. The striking visual presentation of the album was handled by the renowned design firm Hipgnosis, which provided the striking cover art, while Alan McMillan contributed arrangements and conducted strings for the project.
The promotional campaign surrounding the album yielded additional material for fans. A single featuring "Only You Can Rock Me" backed with "Cherry" was released in 1978. Furthermore, the band issued their first three-track EP, which featured "Only You Can Rock Me" and "Cherry" alongside "Rock Bottom," successfully climbing to number 50 on the UK singles chart. Over the years, Obsession has continued to receive expanded reissues. EMI's 2008 remastered edition arrived with three bonus live tracks and corrected writing credits. Decades later, in 2024, Chrysalis issued a comprehensive deluxe edition across two compact discs and three vinyl LPs. This modern package presented a fresh remaster alongside an entire live performance from Cleveland, which was newly remixed specifically for the 2024 release.
Upon its release, Obsession drew a range of critical evaluations from contemporary and retrospective commentators. Reviewing the LP in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies in 1981, critic Robert Christgau expressed mixed sentiments, noting that he had previously admired their forward motion and facile riffs, but felt obligated to report that they had degenerated into usual exhibitionism, pointing to tracks like "Lookin' Out for No. 1" as emblematic of late-1970s rock lyrical trends. AllMusic reviewer Greg Prato observed that the record indeed contained plenty of prime metal cuts, though he felt some of the material ultimately fell flat. Meanwhile, Canadian journalist Martin Popoff characterized the album as an aseptically professional, melancholy, yet finely crafted and memorable display of keyboard-powered metal, while concurrently critiquing Ron Nevison's brash and boomy live-feel production and noting a near-total absence of the band's more connecting, warm hard rock elements.
In terms of its commercial performance on the United States charts, UFO found steady traction with the release. Entered into the Billboard 200 albums chart, Obsession made its initial appearance on the week of July 29, 1978, opening at rank 148. The album steadily climbed upward over the subsequent weeks as word of mouth and airplay took effect, breaking into the upper tiers of the chart. By the week of September 23, 1978, the record achieved its peak position, landing at rank 41, a spot it successfully defended the following week. Altogether, Obsession maintained a continuous presence on the Billboard 200 for a total of 18 weeks before completing its chart run in late November of 1978.
Last Updated: 2026-07-26
PRODUCE
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