FEATURE:
The Love You Take, Is Equal to the Love You Make
Abbey Road Studios at Ninety
___________
IT is impossible to do full justice…
to one of the most important anniversaries this year. Abbey Road Studios was opened on 12th November, 1931. I will end with a playlist featuring some songs recorded at the famous studios. I want to start by bringing in some information from the official website that shows how Abbey Road Studios has changed since it started life:
“Originally a nine-bedroom Georgian townhouse built in 1831, Number 3, Abbey Road was converted into studios in 1929 once the Gramophone Company obtained the premises. The property was in an ideal location; it came with large grounds and was close enough to traditional performance spaces of the time but distant enough from the noise and vibration of traffic. Thus, the foundations of the studios were laid at the rear of the main building. By 1931, following a merge with Columbia Graphophone Company to form Electric and Musical Industries, the studios became known as EMI Recording Studios.
Since its transformation, this once residential plot has become the venue for a host of the world's most celebrated recordings from artists including Oasis, Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Ed Sheeran, The Hollies, Adele, Ella Fitzgerald and of course, The Beatles. Not to mention the incredible cinematic soundtracks that have also been conducted here, from Harry Potter and Star Wars to Lord Of The Rings and Indiana Jones.
More importantly, it has been the home of some of the most important technological breakthroughs. Since EMI engineer Alan Blumlein patented stereo at Abbey Road in 1931, the studios have been famed for innovation in recording technology, largely developed by the Record Engineering Development Department (REDD) who were responding to the needs of the artists and producers using the rooms. Their innovations include the REDD and TG desks, as well as studio techniques such as Artificial Double Tracking (ADT), created by studio technician Ken Townsend, who went on to become the studios’ MD, as well as Vice President of EMI Studios Group.
IN THIS PHOTO: Amy Winehouse
Studio One
The largest purpose-built recording studio in the world, this space can easily accommodate a 110 piece orchestra and 110 piece choir, its dimensions measuring 92x52 feet with a 40-foot high ceiling. During the first decades of the studios' existence, it was devoted largely to the recording of classical music. For the grand opening back in 1931, Sir Edward Elgar conducted the London Symphony Orchestra as they played Land Of Hope And Glory. Elgar addressed the orchestra prior to the performance with the words, "Good morning, gentlemen. Glad to see you all. Very light programme this morning. Please play this tune as though you've never heard it before", which would subsequently mark the first recording made at the studio.
Studio One's control room marked the biggest change to the space. Originally, in the 1930's the room was used to cut straight to disc and was a lot smaller in size. But, as technology advanced and recording sessions got a lot more complicated, a larger control room was built to accommodate more equipment. Today, this space boasts a 72 channel AMS Neve 88RS recording console, a 7.1 surround sound monitor section, a Neve SP2 scoring panel, a playback rig, record rig and video rig... to name just a few.
Studio Two
Arguably the most famous studio in the world, let alone within the Abbey Road complex, Studio Two is considered a mecca by many in the music business and music fans worldwide. Opening in 1931 as one of the original three studios at Abbey Road, Studio Two was made famous by The Beatles and Pink Floyd, but continues to operate at the heart of popular music, playing host to landmark recordings by Adele, Radiohead, Muse, Lady Gaga, Oasis, Kanye West, The Streets, George Ezra, Ed Sheeran, Kano and Noel Gallagher.
In its early years, the space was used largely by big bands playing jazz and swing and smaller chamber ensembles, with a lot of comedy recordings taking place throughout the 1950s. When rock ‘n’ roll became popular in the mid-1950s, artists such as Cliff Richard and The Shadows started to dominate the space and it became known as the Rock ‘n’ Roll Room. Then, in June 1962, The Beatles recorded their first demo with Sir George Martin, which marked the start of an iconic relationship and perhaps the most influential period in the studios’ history, with the band recording 90% of their material here”.
Usually, I would spend a feature talking about how The Beatles made Abbey Road Studios their own and are the most famous act to walk through the doors. Whilst that is true, over ninety years, so many incredible musicians have recorded there – including Adele, Kate Bush and Oasis. We will see so many incredible musicians lay down music at the St. John’s Wood-based studios. I have never visited myself, though it is something that is on my to-do list. There will be celebrations and events to celebrate the ninetieth anniversary, in addition to articles and features. I would advise people to check out the Abbey Road Studios website, as they have the hashtag #AbbeyRoad90. A series of musicians and professionals talk about their experience at Abbey Road Studios. The Grammy award-winning, senior engineer Simon Rhodes sees the studios as his home. To mark ninety years of the iconic space, Abbey Road Studios are holding their own festival. There are some interesting plans afoot:
“Abbey Road Studios has today announced further details of the celebrations for its upcoming 90th anniversary. Running across 11 & 12 November, Abbey Road will welcome some of the leading players in the UK music industry, including the likes of Island Records, Universal Music Publishing, Pitchfork, The Ivors Academy, Abbey Road Institute, Spotify, PRS for Music, The MMF, AIM, Sound On Sound and Mix With The Masters as part of an event entitled Abbey Road Amplify.
Over 11 & 12 November, the Studios will open its doors to the next generation of artists, engineers and creatives for a free, two-day festival featuring masterclasses, interactive sessions, practical workshops, Q&As and live performances. Alongside the Abbey Road team, some of the music industry’s leading names will share career insights from their personal journeys, as well as advice for upcoming talent and a range of live performances and showcases. Participants will be able to attend for free by entering a ballot and the festival will also be livestreamed”.
I am excited to see what happens over the coming days. It is a strange time to celebrate such an important anniversary, what with the restrictions and uncertainty of the pandemic. At least we can guarantee the one-hundredth anniversary will be bigger and less tense! I might do other features in the run-up to the ninetieth anniversary on 12th November. If you get a chance to visit Abbey Road Studios, then do go. It must be quite an experience stepping inside the hallowed space! A happy ninetieth anniversary to…
THE world’s best studios.