Oh, the stories we could tell about Abbey Road Studios.
Probably the most famous recording studios in London (if not the whole world), their 90+ year history has seen The Rolling Stones, Stormzy, Fats Waller, Amy Winehouse, and dozens of other platinum-smashing artists record best-selling albums within their hallowed booths. It’s where epic, orchestral soundtracks to cult movies like Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones were recorded. And The Beatles put almost every song they ever wrote on vinyl here (making a local celebrity out of a zebra crossing in the process).
They’re not, however, as good as the stories Kevin Ryan and Brian Kehew can tell.
A couple of musician-producers-turned-authors, they’ve spent years trawling through EMI’s archives to put together their book, Recording The Beatles. They’re probably the global experts when it comes to the hidden histories of Abbey Road Studios. And they’re about to give a series of talks inside Studio 2 itself – accompanied by live performances of the biggest hits recorded there.
You’ll hear about the all-nighters pulled by The Beatles; anecdotes from sessions with the likes of Pink Floyd and Shirley Bassey; and all kinds of little-known facts about the studios and its role throughout music history. But between the storytelling, you’ll get to witness spine-tingling performances of the music created there by a live string quartet, guitarist & pianist.
Before the experience begins, you’ll also have free rein to explore their most famous recording space, filled with instruments, sheet music and other priceless gems from the studio’s archives. And if this all sounds like an insane, once-in-a-lifetime experience… well, it is. And the tickets are priced accordingly at £231 a pop.
So if you’ve got a rare first press of The White Album hanging around, better get it on eBay now…
NOTE: Stories In Sound takes place at various times on 2nd, 3rd & 4th August. Tickets cost £231 – you can book here.
Stories In Sound | Abbey Road Studios, London, NW8 9AY
Want to know what’s on this month? Take a look at your July Agenda