Legendary Recording Studios
Introduction
From the time that the Billboard Hot 100 chart introduced its first number-one hit song, “Poor Little Fool,” performed by Ricky Nelson, on August 4, 1958, until the dawn of the twenty-first century, the vast majority of the legendary hit songs that took the top spot on that chart and on the other various Billboard charts for pop, country and rhythm and blues music were recorded and mixed in legendary recording studio facilities. While most of the general public that loves popular music is at least somewhat familiar with such recording studios as Sun Studio or Motown and even more so with Abbey Road, there are quite a few legendary recording studio facilities out there that have recorded a number of some of the greatest hits in the history of popular music that perhaps very few people have ever heard of, at all.
Sadly, there is a growing number of these remarkable and historic recording studio facilities which have long ago closed their doors and are no longer recording any music at all. Also, it will surprise many of you to know that some of the studios that we think are legendary may not be on this list at all— because, the greatest hits for an artist, in truth, may not have been recorded or mixed there at all. I will take a moment to highlight and showcase those legendary recording studio facilities which are still open and serving the needs of artists, engineers, musicians and producers still to this very day, plus those that are no longer with us, too. If a recording studio is still open to the public and recording great music to this very day, I will place an asterisk by its name. If the facility is underlined, it means that I that have actually worked in that legendary facility. By the way, the list that was used to create this article will be published onto the website as a searchable database for researchers, historians and popular music lovers around the world. The database will be a work in progress, as even documenting where and who recorded each of the number-one hit songs of the past in popular music is an exhaustive task. In fact since 1955, I have documented almost 1,100 (1,097) instances where a recording studio facility has recorded a number-one hit song or album that will be placed into the database.
The Legendary Recording Studios of the 1950s
While the list of hitmakers on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart did not start until August 4, 1958, and there were a number of remarkable and influential musicians who would not make their way onto that chart up to the number-one slot during the 1950s, such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Buddy Holly and the Crickets for example, documenting those who did is quite interesting for a pair of reasons— in the beginning, musicals, film soundtracks, classical music, big band music and country music were all quite popular in those early years and so these recording studio venues will also reflect that fact, as well. The popular music listings will begin with the hit song, “Rock Around the Clock,” performed by Bill Haley and His Comets which topped the Billboard chart in 1955. For the country music additions, I went back to the 1950 Billboard chart to include the influential artist, Hank Williams, who died in 1952, but otherwise, it also starts with the 1955 chart. For R&B artists, this survey also begins in 1955. Also, keep in mind that (with a few exceptions) only number-one hot singles and albums are included on this list. Many of the recording studios in this list from the 1950s are now museums, and sadly a number of them have been all but forgotten (until now)— only two of the recording studios on the original list that will be placed into the database remain open to this day and should be considered iconic and historic facilities. In order to qualify as a legendary studio on this last from the 1950s (since it is a shortened list) at least four artists had to have recorded a number-one hit song or album in the facility. Only one of these legendary facilities remains open today as a working recording studio facility— the iconic, Capitol Recording Studios which is still located in Hollywood, California. In the 1950s, I have documented 26 recording studios having been the site of number-one hit song or album having been recorded for the database.
1. Columbia Studios (30th Street Studio) New York City, New York— Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holliday, Mahalia Jackson, Guy Mitchell, Leonard Bernstein, Percy Faith, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Miles Davis
2. * Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood, California— Frank Sinatra, The Kingston Trio, Nat King Cole and Dean Martin
3. RCA Victor Studios A and B, Nashville, Tennessee (now operated by Dave Cobb, formerly known also as Javelina Recording Studios)— Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, The Browns, Don Gibson
The Legendary Recording Studios of the 1960s
It may have interested you to know that none of the major artists on the Billboard charts for popular music, country music or R&B recorded in a recording studio outside of the United States during the 1950s. However, it was this great music from the decade of the 1950s which would influence the British Invasion of the 1960s that would change the world of popular music and how it was recorded forever. I think what will interest those of you who are reading this article is that even during the so-called British Invasion, quite a few of the great songs from those artists were also recorded in recording studios that were located here in the United States. Also, it may surprise you to note that Abbey Road does not meet the criteria of a legendary recording studio because there were not at least six documented artists or groups which recorded number-one hit songs or albums at EMI Studios (now referred to as Abbey Road). Only three acts— The Beatles, Peter and Gordon and Donovan recorded number-one hit songs or albums at Abbey Road during the decade and it is to be noted that not all of The Beatles hit songs or albums were fully recorded or mixed there, either, as some were recorded or mixed at other studios, including Olympic, Trident and their own Apple recording facility (among others), as well. But, take heart, it will make an appearance as a legendary studio on this list by meeting the criteria in the 1970s. There will be quite a few new recording studios on this overall list and also, a few more of these facilities will survive to still be in operation to this day than did from the list in the 1950s, but that number will not be a large number, either. In fact, most of the older recording studios that are in operation today, have their roots in the 1980s, not in either the 1960s or even the 1970s. Again, there are studios on this list and their locations, too, which may well surprise you that will be recorded into the database. I have documented 72 recording studio facilities that were the sites where number-one hit albums from the BillBoard Hot-100 singles, Hot-200 album, and the Country and R&B charts were recorded during the 1960s. Due to the fact that it is a list of research which includes a full decade, a studio would have to have had at least six artists record a number one hit song or album in the facility for it to be considered a legendary recording facility. Only two of these recording studio facilities are still open and serving the professional music recording industry today, though it should be noted that of the two of them, only Capitol Recording Studios, in Hollywood, California, is operating under both the same name and at the same location. It is also sad to note that United Recording Studios which is on this list may be closed as of this very day-- an iconic studio that has fallen victim to the whims of its owners who unfortunately have no real roots in the business of making music-- unless, of course, it can be saved. It is a historical treasure which should be saved.
1. Columbia Studios (30th Street Studio and 7th Avenue) Percy Faith, Louis Armstrong, Barbra Streisand, The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, The Lovin’ Spoonful
2. RCA Victor (Studios A and B) Nashville, Tennessee (now operated by Dave Cobb, formerly known also as Javelina Recording Studios)— Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, Porter Waggoner, Connie Smith, Eddy Arnold, Jack Greene, Booby Goldsboro
3. RCA Victor Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California— Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Monkees, Henry Mancini
4. * United Western Recording Studios, Hollywood, California (also known as Ocean Way Recording Studios— today, it is both United Recording Studios and EastWest Recording Studios)— Ricky Nelson, Ray Charles, Shelley Fabares, The Beach Boys, Dean Martin, Petula Clark, Nancy Sinatra, The Mamas & the Papas, Frank Sinatra, The Association
5. Motown (Hitsville U.S.A. Studios A and B) Detroit, Michigan and Los Angeles, California (after 1967)— The Marvelettes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Mary Wells, The Contours, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas, The Supremes, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Tammi Terrell and The Originals
6. Olympic Recording Studios, London, United Kingdom— The Troggs, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Blind Faith, Led Zeppelin
7. * Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood, California— The Kingston Trio, Frank Sinatra, Buck Owens, Lou Rawls, Bobbie Gentry, Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Wynn Stewart
The Legendary Recording Studios of the 1970s
During the 1970s, what we think of as the modern recording studio facility with large format analog consoles, multitrack analog tape machines, an array of outboard gear and extensive microphone collections, truly emerged for the very first time. Country music made a comeback during the early 1970s and R&B music remained quite popular with audiences around the world. In the second half of the decade, disco emerged to become very popular, although groups such as Led Zeppelin, The Eagles and even The Rolling Stones remained popular throughout it, as well. While recording studio venues were largely located in Los Angeles, New York City and Nashville, as well as London, in the United Kingdom, by the 1970s, a number of new studio locales begin to emerge as foreign artists such as the Bee Gees, ABBA and The Guess Who became popular during the decade. In country music, the Nashville Sound which had dominated the 1960s was challenged by a group of outlaw artists such as Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard, who sought to return country music to its rockabilly roots which harkened back to the 1950s. In R&B, the most popular artists on the charts by the end of the decade such as Michael Jackson and Prince were the same artists who would come to dominate the pop charts throughout the 1980s. It was during the 1970s that a trend which began with groups like the Beatles in the late 1960s started to truly accelerate— groups which could not find certain technologies in a particular studio began moving around much more often to find what they needed technologically to complete their projects during a period which was marked by tremendous innovation and growth. All of this fantastic music was recorded in the great recording studios of the period and the acts and the places where many of them recorded the greatest hits of the decade will be documented in the database. So far, I have documented that 169 recording studio facilities were the sites where either a number one hit song or album was recorded on the Billboard Hot-100 singles chart, the Billboard Hot-200 albums chart, or the Country or R&B charts during the decade of the 1970s. The criteria for the 1970s will be the same as it was for the decade prior to it. If a recording studio facility had at least six artists record number-one hit songs or albums in it, it will make this listing as a legendary recording studio facility. If it is still open to the public as a recording studio facility today, it will be marked with an asterisk (even though the original facility may no longer be in operation). Each facility will be on this list starting with its original name and will have a note telling you what the name of the facility is currently in parenthesis. There will be more legendary studio facilities that are still open and fully operational today that there were in the 1950s or the 1960s.
1. A&R Recording Studios, New York City, New York— B.J. Thomas, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Debbie Boone, Billy Joel, Quincy Jones
2. * EMI Recording Studios, London, United Kingdom (now known as Abbey Road)— The Beatles, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Wings, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Olivia Newton-John, Pink Floyd
3. * Jack Clement Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee (now known as The Sound Emporium)— Ray Stevens, Donna Fargo, Don Williams, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Crystal Gayle, Kenny Rogers
4. Motown Recording Studios (Los Angeles, California and Detroit, Michigan)— The Jackson 5, Edwin Starr, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Eddie Kendricks, The Commodores
5. * A&M Recording Studios, Hollywood, California (now known as Henson Studios)— The Carpenters, Carole King, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Barbara Streisand, Dolly Parton, Johnny Mathis, The Commodores
6. Trident Recording Studios, London, United Kingdom— George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, Carly Simon, America, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt
7. * Sunset Sound Studios, Hollywood, California— Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, Earth, Wind and Fire, The Emotions, The Doobie Brothers, Cheryl Lynn, Neil Diamond
8. Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Sheffield, Alabama— The Rolling Stones, The Staple Singers, Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Womack, Rod Stewart, Mary MacGregor, Eddie Rabbitt
9. * Wally Heider Recording Studios, San Francisco, California (now the location of Hyde Street Studios)— Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Santana, Paul McCartney and Wings, Jefferson Airplane, The Pointer Sisters, Earth, Wind and Fire, Fleetwood Mac, The Emotions
10. * The Record Plant, New York City, New York (now the location of Battery Studios)— John Lennon, Don McLean, Alice Cooper, Linda Ronstadt, Enchantment, Roberta Flack, Rick James, Blondie
11. Columbia Recording Studios (also, CBS Recording Studios), Nashville, Tennessee— Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, Lynn Anderson, Tanya Tucker, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Paycheck, Margo Smith
12. * RCA Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee (now operated by Dave Cobb, formerly known also as Javelina Recording Studios)— Charley Pride, Dolly Parton, Donna Fargo, Ronnie Millsap, Porter Wagoner, Charlie Rich, Dave & Sugar
13. * Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, Florida (now owned by the Hit Factory— Germano Studios)— Brook Benton Aretha Franklin, Grand Funk Railroad, Eric Clapton, Average White Band, The Eagles, The Bee Gees, Rod Stewart, Andy Gibb, Enchantment, Anita Ward, Frankie Valli
14. * The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California— Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Aretha Franklin, Minnie Riperton, The Eagles, The Brothers Johnson, Roberta Flack
15. Sound Labs, Los Angeles, California— Helen Reddy, Ringo Starr, Glen Campbell, Tavares, Hall & Oates, Dolly Parton
16. Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania— Billy Paul, The O’Jays, The Spinners, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Billy Paul, MFSB, William DeVaughn, Blue Magic, Major Harris, Barry Manilow, The Manhattans, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, Chuck Brown, GQ, McFadden & Whitehead
17. * The Hit Factory, New York City, New York— Jim Croce, Roberta Flack, Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Wonder, Enchantment, Roberta Flack
18. * Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, California (now it is a fabulous retail outlet)— Billy Preston, Stevie Wonder, The Brothers Johnson, Earth, Wind and Fire, Roberta Black, Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson
19. Mediasound Studios, New York City, New York— Stevie Wonder, Kool & the Gang, Barry Manilow, Frankie Valli, Van McCoy, David Ruffin
20. * The Village Recorders, Los Angeles, California— The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and The Band, Supertramp, Eddie Rabbitt, Barbara Streisand, Donna Summer
21. * The Sound Factory, Los Angeles, California— Linda Ronstadt, Frankie Valli, Elton John, Jessi Colter, The Four Seasons, L..T.D.
The Legendary Recording Studios of the 1980s
During the 1980s, two trends in recording studios emerged. First, engineers had always been an integral component of the staffs of major recording studio facilities, but throughout the 1980s, more recording studio engineers became independent and therefore moved from studio to studio and relied on being hired by producers to continue working on a freelance basis. The second major trend was expansion which took two differing forms. The first wave of expansion was technological as new digital technologies and giant, large-format analog consoles from such companies as Neve, Trident, API and Solid State Logic began to populate the major recording studio facilities of the period— many of those consoles can still be found in the control rooms of these legendary facilities today. The other major trend was physical expansion, as quite a few of the major recording studios of the period opened-up multiple rooms. The result of these trends was that recording studio engineers were able to relocate as country music became more popular by the end of the decade— as rock music began to disappear and hip hop became increasingly popular. However, the other result was that as large recording studios expanded, smaller studios would decline throughout the decade— a trend that twenty-years later would be reversed by the ascent of digital audio workstations. The other trend that you will see during the decade is prominent artists recording their work in more than one facility— as the trend of tracking on Neve or Trident consoles and mixing on SSL or API consoles began. As with the other decades, if a studio had six or more artists record a number-one hit in the facility, it will be listed here as a legendary recording studio facility. If it is still open and fully operational as a recording studio facility, it will be listed here. Most of the legendary facilities that are still open and operating today were born in the 1980s and 1990s, and in the database for both decades, there were more than 300 recording studio facilities that have been documented as the sites were number-one albums were recorded on the Billboard Hot-100 singles chart, the Billboard Hot-200 albums chart and the Country and R&B charts for the decade of the 1980s.
1. * Westlake Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California (now a retail outlet and equipment center)— Michael Jackson, Blondie, Paul McCartney, DeBarge, Patti Austin and James Ingram, Michael Sembello, Barbara Streisand, Patti LaBelle, Luther Vandross, Angela Winbush, Natalie Cole
2. * Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood, California— Captain and Tennille, Eddie Rabbitt, The Steve Miller Band, Prince and the Revolution, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, Richard Marx, Dwight Yoakum, Buck Owens
3. Rumbo Recording Studio, Los Angeles, California— Captain and Tennille, Survivor, Michael Sembello, REO Speedwagon, Dolly Parton, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, Heart, Guns N’ Roses
4. * The Village Recorders, Los Angeles, California— Captain and Tennille, Eddie Rabbitt, Aretha Franklin, Ray Parker Jr., Barbara Streisand, Berlin, Bruce Hornsby and the Range
5. * The Power Station, New York City, New York— Blondie, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Evelyn King, David Bowie, Bonnie Tyler, Madonna, Julio Iglesias, Bryan Adams, Dire Straits, Aretha Franklin, Cyndi Lauper, Cameo, Heart, Bobbie McFerrin, Billy Joel
6. * Electric Lady Recording Studios, New York City, New York— Blondie, Diana Ross, The Rolling Stones, Hall & Oates, Foreigner, Irene Cara, Aretha Franklin, Sheriff, Roberta Flack
7. Mediasound Recording Studios, New York City, New York— Blondie, Barbara Streisand, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Patti Austin and James Ingram, Cutting Crew
8. Motown/Hitsville U.S.A. Studios, Hollywood, California— Diana Ross, Jermaine Jackson, Rick James, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker, Natalie Cole
9. * The Sound Emporium, Nashville, Tennessee— Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, Dottie West, Debby Boone, Shalamar, Gene Watson, George Jones, Keith Whitley
10. * The Hit Factory, New York City, New York— John Lennon, Hall & Oates, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen, Julio Iglesias, Foreigner, Patti LaBelle, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Gibson, Billy Joel
11. Woodland Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Barbara Mandrell, Eddie Rabbitt, Conway Twitty, The Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, Merle Haggard, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, The Forester Sisters, Clint Black
12. * Sunset Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California— Johnny Lee, Earth, Wind & Fire, Lionel Richie, Prince and the Revolution, Toto, Irene Cara, Anne Murray, Julio Iglesias, Kenny Rogers, The Bangles, Melissa Morgan, Prince, Richard Marx, Roberta Flack, Jody Whatley
13. * A&M Recording Studios, Hollywood, California (now known as Henson Studios)— The Brothers Johnson, Stevie Nicks, Lionel Richie, USA for Africa, Barbara Streisand, Bruce Springsteen, Cheap Trick, Chicago, Richard Marx, Bad English, Phil Collins, U2, Luther Vandross
14. Kendun Recorders, Burbank, California— The Brothers Johnson, Jermaine Jackson, George Benson, Kool & the Gang, REO Speedwagon, DeBarge
15. Audio Media, Nashvile, Tennessee— Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, Janie Fricke, Anne Murray, Dan Seals, Marie Osmond, Randy Travis
16. AIR Studios, Montserrat, (Carribean)— Sheena Easton, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, The Police, Duran Duran, Luther Vandross, Simply Red
17. * Ocean Way Recording Studios, Hollywood, California (now open as United Recording Studios)— Olivia Newton-John, Lionel Richie, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Sheena Easton, Julio Iglesias, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, Rene and Angela, Belinda Carlisle, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Angela Winbush, The Bangles, Bette Midler, Simply Red, U2, Madonna, Teena Marie, Natalie Cole
18. Studio 55, Los Angeles, California— Stevie Nicks, Chicago, Julio Iglesias, DeBarge, Patti LaBelle, El DeBarge, The Bangles, Bette Midler
19. * The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California— Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac, Cheryl Lynn, John Waite, Julio Iglesias, Heart, DeBarge, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N’ Roses
20. * The Record Plant, New York City, New York (now the location of Battery Studios)— Stevie Nicks, The J. Geils Band, The Go-Gos, Prince and the Revolution, Cyndi Lauper, John Waite, Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell
21. * Sound Stage Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Hank Williams Jr., Steve Wariner, Crystle Gayle, Reba McEntire, Anne Murray, George Strait, Steve Wariner, John Schneider, Randy Travis, Restless Heart, Lee Greenwood, Waylon Jennings, Earl Thomas Conley, Clint Black, Patty Loveless
22. * AIR Recording Studios, London, United Kingdom— Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Yes, Dire Straits, Berlin, Cutting Crew, The Escape Club, Fine Young Cannibals
23. Bill Schnee Studios, Los Angeles, California (now a part of the Larrabee Studios Complex)— Chicago, Irene Cara, Patti LaBelle, El DeBarge, Bette Midler, Roberta Flack
24. * Larabee Studios, Los Angeles, California— Fleetwood Mac, Cheryl Lynn, O’Bryan, DeBarge, Patti LaBelle, Stephanie Mills, Jody Whatley, Natalie Cole, Al Wilson
25. * Lion Share Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California (now the location of Moon River Music)— Kenny Rogers, Donna Summer, Dolly Parton, Sheena Easton, Julio Iglesias, Patti LaBelle, Peter Cetera, El DeBarge, Richard Marx
26. Unique Recording Studios, New York City, New York— New Edition, Cameo, Billy Ocean, Diana Ross, Freddie Jackson, Pet Shop Boys, Peter Cetera, Juice, Gregory Abbott, Stephanie Mills, LeVert, Expose, Al B. Sure, Roberta Flack
27. Soundcastle Recording Studios, Santa Monica, California— Deniece Williams, Michael Sembello, The Commodores, Patti LaBelle, Kenny Rogers, Starship, Stephanie Mills, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cheap Trick
28. Emerald Sound Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Crystle Gayle, Anne Murray, Rosanne Cash, Dan Seals, Marie Osmond, Steve Wariner, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Rodney Crowell, Earl Thomas Conley, Alabama, George Strait, Dolly Parton
29. Lighthouse Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California— Julio Iglesias, Kenny Rogers, Barbara Streisand, Peter Cetera, Starship, Richard Marx, Roberta Flack
30. The Bennett House, Franklin, Tennessee— Janie Fricke, Dan Seals, Marie Osmond, Amy Grant, Restless Heart, Vern Gosdin
31. Right Track Recording Studios, New York City, New York— Foreigner, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Debbie Gibson, Billy Joel, Luther Vandross
32. * Conway Studios, Hollywood, California— Patti LaBelle, El DeBarge, Poison, Bette Midler, Bad English, Roberta Flack
33. Eleven Eleven Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Lee Greenwood, Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Millsap, Steve Wariner, Clint Black, Ricky Skaggs
The Legendary Recording Studios of the 1990s
In the 1990s, the way in which music was produced influenced recording studios to a dramatic extent, as did the styles of music which became popular as the decade unfolded. First, major clients throughout the decade often had multiple production teams working to create their albums. The result of this way of working often meant that multiple engineering teams working in many different recording studio locations would be involved in creating an album. The second component was a geographical shift— as country music became increasingly popular, producers and engineers who had once working in rock and pop music increasingly moved to Nashville, Tennessee. With the disappearance of traditional genres that had once been so popular, such as blues, rock, jazz and even traditional country music— recording studios in Los Angeles and New York adapted by becoming even larger with multiple rooms, while studio facilities popped-up almost overnight throughout Nashville and its adjoining suburbs. These trends led to the steep decline of the number of studios outside of the three primary production centers. In fact, Atlanta, Georgia, emerges as a major recording studio production hub throughout the 1990s. As a decade, it was the 1990s that would foreshadow the decline of the popular music industry and though steaming services and their mortal impact on the popular music industry was in the distant future, the advent of digital audio workstations and the beginning of the home studio shift was in its infancy by the close of the decade. The rules that have applied to each of the decades up to this point also apply to the 1990s. If a legendary recording studio facility hosted at least six or more artists who had a number-one hit during the decade on the BillBoard Hot 100-singles chart, the Hot 200 album chart, or the country or R&B (now hip-hop) charts, it will be on this list. If a host recording studio facility is still in operation today (not as a museum) it will have an asterisk to denote that it is still a commercial facility and its current location and name, as well. It is to be noted that during the 1990s, more than 300 recording studio facilities were the sites were number-one hit songs or albums were recorded.
1. * The Hit Factory, New York City, New York— Michael Bolton, Taylor Dayne, Madonna, TLC, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Will Smith, Brandy and Monica, Ricky Martin, Ice Cube, Billy Joel, The Eagles, Nas, Live, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Chyna Doll, Peabo Bryson, Jodeci, Notorious B.I.G., Aaliyah, Puff Daddy
2. Right Track Recording, New York City, New York— Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Will Smith, R. Kelly and Celine Dion, Lauryn Hill, Ricky Martin, Luther Vandross, The Rude Boys
3. Flyte Tyme Recording Studios, Minneapolis, Minnesota— Janet Jackson, Johnny Gill, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Chyna Doll, Luther Vandross, Next
4. * Ocean Way Recording Studios, Hollywood, California (now United Recording Studios)— Taylor Dayne, Madonna, Wilson Phillips, James Ingram, Bonnie Raitt, Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson, Meat Loaf, Toni Braxton, Michael Bolton, Barbara Streisand, Elton John, R.E. M., Kenny G, Ricky Martin
5. * Westlake Recording Studios (now Westlake Pro Audio), Los Angeles, California— Wilson Phillips, Glenn Medeiros, Clint Black, Quincy Jones, Tony, Toni, Tone, Michael Jackson, K-Ci & Jo-Jo, Alanis Morrisette, Nas, Celine Dion, Marilyn Manson, Rage Against the Machine, Clint Black
6. Unique Recording Studios, New York City, New York— New Kids on the Block, Keith Sweat, C+C Music Factory, Color Me Badd, Ruff Ryders, Aaron Hall, Naughty by Nature
7. * The Enterprise Sound Studios, Burbank, California (now known as Craig Huxley— Enterprise Studios)— James Ingram, Celine Dion, Boyz II Men, Brandy and Monica, Barbara Streisand, Chyna Doll, Ricky Martin
8. * The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California— Bonnie Raitt, Michael Bolton, Guns N’ Roses, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson, Brandy, Ricky Martin, Santana w/Rob Thomas, Michael Bolton, The Stone Temple Pilots, No Doubt, Live, Mary J. Blige, Dave Matthews Band, Chyna Doll, Luther Vandross
9. Emerald Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee— George Strait, Alabama, Reba McEntire, Wynnona, Aaron Tippin, Tracy Byrd, Faith Hill, Deana Carter, Shania Twain, Sara Evans
10. Masterfonics Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Alabama, Clint Black, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Celine Dion, John Anderson, Sawyer Brown, Vince Gill, John Michael Montgomery, Little Texas, Patty Loveless, Wynnona, Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Lonestar
11. * Javelina Recording Studios (formerly RCA Studios— now operated by Dave Cobb as RCA Studio A, but owned by Mike Curb), Nashville, Tennessee— Mark Chesnutt, Tim McGraw, John Anderson, Alabama, Sawyer Brown, Shania Twain
12. * OmniSound Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Alan Jackson, John Michael Montgomery, LeAnn Rimes, Neal McCoy, John Berry, Faith Hill
13. Nightingale Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Ricky Van Shelton, Doug Stone, Randy Travis, Brian White
14. The Bennett House Recording Studios, Franklin, Tennessee— Doug Stone, Joe Diffie, Amy Grant, Selena, Colin Raye, Wynnona
15. * The Sound Emporium, Nashville, Tennessee— Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Colin Raye, John Michael Montgomery, Aaron Tippin, Restless Heart, Alabama
16. The SoundShop Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Brooks & Dunn, Doug Stone, Faith Hill, Shenandoah, Joe Diffie, Wade Hayes, John Michael Montgomery, Lonestar, Trace Adkins
17. * The Plant Studios, San Francisco, California (formerly The Record Plant)— Tony! Toni! Tone!, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Metallica, Dave Matthews Band, Peabo Bryson
18. Can-Am Studios, Tarzana, California (currently being transformed into NoName Studios)— Tony, Toni, Tone, En Vogue, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, Makaveli
19. * A&M Recording Studios, Hollywood, California (now Henson Studios)— Guns N’ Roses, Michael Bolton, Aerosmith, The Eagles, Rage Against the Machine, Korn, Luther Vandross
20. * Larabee Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California— Michael Jackson, Boyz II Men, Brandy and Monica, Snoop Dogg, Bobby Brown, Brandy, Aaliyah, Dru Hill, Busta Rhymes w/Janet Jackson
21. * Battery Recording Studios, New York City, New York (formerly The Record Plant of New York)— Mariah Carey, K-Ci and Jo-Jo, R. Kelly and Celine Dion, A Tribe Called Quest, Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, The Backstreet Boys, Hi-Five, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Aaliyah, R. Kelly, Erykah Badu
22. Doppler Studios, Atlanta, Georgia— Boyz II Men, TLC, Pearl Jam, The Firm, Chyna Doll, Damian Dame
23. Studio LaCoCo, Atlanta, Georgia— Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Damian Dame, TLC, Bobby Brown, Aaliyah
24. * Sony Music Studios, New York City, New York (now Battery Studios— formerly The Record Plant of New York)— K-Ci & Jo-Jo, Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Nas, Lauryn Hill, Jay-Z
25. Chung King Recording Studios, New York City, New York (now the site is operated by Reservoir Studios, formerly Skyline Studios of New York City)— Lauryn Hill, Nas, DMX, Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Method Man
26. Mesa Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Tim McGraw, Clint Black, Tracy Lawrence, John Anderson, Clay Walker, Little Texas
27. * Sound Stage Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Tim McGraw, Wynonna, Vince Gill, George Strait, Tracy Lawrence, John Anderson, Clay Walker, Neal McCoy, John Berry, Shania Twain, David Lee Murphy, Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, Terri Clark, Brad Paisley
The Legendary Recording Studios at the Dawn of a New Century— (2000-2003)
By the early 2000s, the trends which had started in the 1990s were starting to take hold. Smaller facilities, home studios and incredibly large recording studios began to make their appearance, as the trends in popular music and the growth in digital audio workstations started to take effect. Though this list will come to an end in the year 2003— twenty years ago— the recording studio landscape that we do see today was still in its infancy even at this point in time. Though very few of the new recording studio facilities that appear during this brief period, if any, will be a part of the list of legendary facilities that will be a major component of this website project, it is worth noting that there are quite a few facilities which make their appearance at this time that are considered to be vitally important large-scale facilities today. By this time, musically, hip hop and R&B were extremely popular. Country music was also very popular. As studio facilities became smaller, the medium-sized facilities which had been the backbone of the music production industry— many of which were truly legendary— slowly began to disappear. Though it is beyond the scope of this entry, the recession of 2008 and the development of digital audio streaming services truly crippled the popular music industry, as for the very first time in its long and storied history, the physical distribution of its products were no longer controlled by the record companies that for so long had provided the financial capital and investment necessary for the continued growth and development of the industry. As it has been with the other lists, this set of entries lists the artists who recorded number-one hit songs on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, the country music singles chart, the R&B (hip hop) singles chart and the Billboard Hot 200 album chart from 2000-2003. If a recording studio facility is still open and operating fully, it will have an asterisk by its name as well as its current location. Each of these great facilities are still open and operating as of this writing.
1. * The Sound Kitchen, Franklin, Tennessee— Lonestar, Lee Ann Womack, The Sons of the Desert, Sara Evans, Diamond Rio, Gary Allen
2. * The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California— Santana, Nelly, Kelly Rowland, Eminem, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears
3. * Ocean Way Recording Studios, Nashville, Tennessee— Matchbox Twenty, Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina, Phil Vassar, Lonestar, Brad Paisley
4. * Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, California (now a retail outlet and equipment center)— Crazy Town, Clay Aiken, Limp Bizkit, Janet Jackson, Aaliyah, Britney Spears, Alanis Morissette, Celine Dion, Madonna, Staind, Missy Elliot
5. * The Hit Factory, New York City, New York (now Germano Studios)— Nelly, Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Lopez (J-Lo), LL Cool J, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Luther Vandross, Alicia Keys
6. * Sony Music Studios, New York City, New York (formerly The Record Plant of New York City)— Beyonce, Jay-Z, Aaliyah, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Profyle
7. * Critera Recording Studios (Hit Factory-owned), Miami, Florida— DMX, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Godsmack, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Missy Elliot, Monica
The Legendary Studios of the Past— In the Present
A number of the legendary recording studios of the past are still open and working facilities. There are a number of truly great facilities from the past, however, that have closed over the course of the past few years. Following the Great Recession of 2007-2008, the development of music streaming services and the growth of both home recording studios and small recording studio venues, led to quite a few large-scale recording studio facilities closing their doors for good— especially in both New York City, New York and Nashville, Tennessee. Of those that remain open, some have expanded to become even larger, or have transitioned into other streams of revenue, such as podcasting, sound for film, video games and television programs, or into broad partnerships with educational facilities such as major colleges and universities.
Without a doubt, the greatest songs which have been performed by the greatest artists in history were also recorded in the legendary recording studios of the past. It is my sincere hope that a new generation of artists, engineers, musicians and producers will read articles such as this one and set their sights on preserving the legendary recording studios of the past, so that the great music of the future can continue to be made in them for generations of music lovers around the world to continue to enjoy— and, to love and to treasure.
(Special Note— I will be adding the Billboard- Adult Contemporary Chart information at a later date.)