The newly restored Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, where the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon recorded major hits in the late sixties and seventies, has been selected as the Alabama Tourism Department’s attraction of the year for 2017.
The studio in Sheffield, Alabama has reopened after being closed for decades, benefitted from nearly a million-dollar gift from Beats Electronics producer Dr. Dre who was inspired by the 2013 documentary Muscle Shoals.
Restored to the period colours and furnishings when run by “the Swampers,” the non-profit studio is open for daytime tours and nighttime recording sessions.
“Muscle Shoals Sound is revered worldwide as one of the most influential and iconic studios,” said tourism director Lee Sentell. “The film introduced the Muscle Shoals’ musical heritage to a new generation of travellers.” Almost half of the tourists who dropped by the studio during its year-long-restoration were overseas visitors, he said.
The Rolling Stones recorded “Brown Sugar” and “Wild Horses” for their “Sticky Fingers” album in 1969. The Staple Singers cut “I’ll Take You There” and the studio rhythm section backed Bob Seger on “Old Time Rock ‘n Roll.”
Tell me more about the Muscle Shoals Studio Tour
The studio is open from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm, Monday to Saturday. The cost is $12.00 per person and groups of 20 or more at $10.00 per person.
For more information, go to Alabama Travel
