The return of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

Photo: Alabama Tourist Department

This week sees the reopening of the restored Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama with daily tours for visitors as well as working as a fully functional record studio.

Founded in 1969 by the group of musicians camed "The Swampers" - David Hood, Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins and Barry Beckett - it became the place where Percy Sledge recorded his When A Man Loves A Woman, Aretha Franklin came to record her big breakthrough album and artists like Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones and Otis Redding cut classic tracks. As did Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens and the Staple Singers. Plus many more.

In 2013 Lee Sentell made the documentary "Muscle Shoals" that eventually got Dr Dre/Beats Electronics to put money into renovating the studio.


And here's a couple of tracks recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio: