Electric Lady Studios was commissioned back in 1968 by none other than Jimi Hendrix. With the help of Eddie Kramer and John Storyk, the recording studio in Greenwich Village was up and running by 1970.
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Sadly, Hendrix only got to enjoy about 10 weeks in the studio before he passed away. But, his legacy and the legacy of the studio have lived on well past the end of the 20th century. Let’s take a look at just a few iconic rock albums that were produced by Electric Lady Studios through the years!
‘Back In Black’ by AC/DC (1980)
Australian rockers AC/DC went to Electric Lady Studios in 1980 to put together Back In Black. It was their first album to feature the vocal stylings of Brian Johnson. It was bittersweet, as their previous singer, Bon Scott, had passed away. However, with the help of the studio, they put together what is considered by most to be AC/DC’s finest album, and possibly one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
‘Houses Of The Holy’ by Led Zeppelin (1973)
We just couldn’t leave this one off this list. Led Zeppelin famously produced Houses Of The Holy in 1973 with the help of Electric Lady Studios. Some of the tracks were recorded in the band members’ homes, but the whole of the project was put together via Electric Lady. And a few songs from Physical Graffiti were also recorded there as well.
‘Blue Album’ by Weezer (1994)
Electric Lady Studios wasn’t slowing down in the 1990s. Weezer, just a few years old in 1994, went to the studio and sought the help of producer Ric Ocasek to put together the Blue Album. Weezer has enjoyed lasting success since this album was released, but this album is still considered by many to be the best they have ever made.
‘Destroyer’ by KISS (1976)
This album produced by Electric Lady Studios ended up becoming certified gold in mere weeks after its release in 1976. KISS’s Destroyer was the band’s “sound change” album. While Destroyer lacks a lot of the raw nerve energy of their earlier releases, it was just palatable enough to get as close to mainstream attention as a heavy metal band could get. That orchestra section was a smart touch.
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