A ‘Wicked’ Producer Lost His State-Of-The-Art Home Studio In The Palisades Fire
Greg Wells is a producer, songwriter and mix engineer. He is classically trained in many instruments and is responsible for pop hits like Timbaland and OneRepublic’s “Apologize” and Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”. Most recently, he was the music producer for Wicked (2024), which is currently in the Billboard top 10 for album sales.
Wells worked on the music for both the Wicked film and soundtrack out of his world-class Dolby Atmos studio at his home in the Pacific Palisades. It was thought to be one of the best mix rooms in the city. The studio was designed by Peter Grueneisen, who also built studios for soundtrack legend Hans Zimmer.
Wells says, “I had such a collection of incredible recording equipment, like a custom-made, 48-channel analog console made by Paul Wolff, who used to own API, and 17 speakers in that room, six in the ceiling, three on each wall, two on the rear wall, four huge subwoofers up front — just a magical, magical room.” The evacuation was so sudden the family saved only their passports.
Wells was just about to begin work on the Wicked sequel Wicked: For Good. He is not the only music producer who lost their home studio in the fires. Record producer Bob Clearmountain lost his home and studio in the Palisades and the Altadena fire destroyed the homes of many musicians.
In an interview with Variety, Wells acknowledged that while losing his studio is devastating, it could be much worse:
After the euphoric high of ‘Wicked’ coming out and doing what it’s doing, which is thrilling and wonderful, and then seeing just how fragile things can be… You know, I think life is supposed to be hard. I’m not sure it’s supposed to be quite this hard. But it could be so, so, so much worse than it is. I know a number of people have died, but the people immediately close to me and my family, we’re all healthy and safe — and kind of depressed and bewildered.”
He says he is moving his family out of the Pacific Palisades as he feels that the area will see fires “again and again”.