Joe Meek was a pioneering English record producer, songwriter, and sound engineer, widely regarded as one of the most innovative figures in early popular music. Active during the late 1950s and early 1960s, he revolutionized studio production with inventive techniques such as overdubbing, sampling, and reverb experimentation. Best known for the groundbreaking 1962 hit “Telstar” by The Tornados—the first British single to top the U.S. charts—Meek’s visionary approach helped shape modern recording practices and inspired generations of producers and artists across genres.