The original site of Muscle Shoals Sound Studioin Muscle Shoals, AL.
Muscle Shoals, AL (November 29, 2013)—Aiming to save two legendary Alabama music sites, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and FAME Recording Studio, consumer headphone manufacturer Beats Electronics has partnered with the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation for a new project, Sustain The Sound, which will restore and update the recording facilities.
As part of the project, the studios will offer free training in the facilities for musicians, producers and engineers who apply and best meet the program’s criteria. A portion of Beats’ 2013 holiday sales proceeds will help fund the project.
In June, the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation acquired the 3614 Jackson Highway building, which housed the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio from 1969 to 1979. During that period, the facility recorded The Rolling Stones; Paul Simon; The Staple Singers; Bob Seger; Bob Dylan; Lynyrd Skynyrd; Wilson Pickett; Rod Stewart and many others. Recently added to the national Register of Historic Places, the facility was sold by owner Noah Webster for an undisclosed amount to the Foundation, led by Rodney Hall. After Muscle Shoals Sound Studio moved to 1000 Alabama Avenue in Sheffield in 1979, the original building housed an AV company and later an appliance store. Now it will be returned to its original purpose.
“Magic is a word that’s too often misused in the record industry. Muscle Shoals is different; it’s one of the rare places where it really exists,” said Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine in a statement. “Anytime you can capture such a distinct and authentic sound over and over again, that’s something worth protecting.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to partner with an amazing company like Beats to ensure that we bring the Muscle Shoals Sound to a new generation of listeners,” added Muscle Shoals Music Foundation chairman, Rodney Hall. “The Muscle Shoals Sound is a funky, soulful music mash-up of great players, songs and singers, and just as with Beats, we are all about the magic of music. We think that Beats is the perfect partner for this project and we want to thank the entire Beats staff for helping to keep our sound alive.”
The “Muscle Shoals Sound” was initially created at FAME Studios under producer Rick Hall, who recorded songs like Wilson Pickett’s “Land of 1,000 Dances,” “Funky Broadway” and “Mustang Sally;” Aretha Franklin’s hit, “I Never Loved A Man/Do Right Man;” and Etta James’ “Tell Mama,” and “I’d Rather Go Blind.” More recently, artists such as Alicia Keys and Band of Horses recorded at the space.
The FAME house band left in the 1960s to found Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, going on to produce The Rolling Stones’ “Brown Sugar,” Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome,” Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll,” and other hits. Other artists who recorded at the studio include Boz Skaggs, Percy Sledge, Dr. Hook, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Cliff, Cher, Joe Cocker, J.J. Cale, Linda Ronstadt, Joe Tex, Eddie Floyd, Johnny Taylor, Art Garfunkel, Milie Jackson, Cat Stevens, Traffic, The Black Keys and hundreds of others.
Sustain The Sound
www.sustainthesound.com
Beats Electronics, LLC
www.beatsbydre.com
Muscle Shoals Music Foundation
www.facebook.com/MuscleShoalsMusicFoundation
