Intelligent Sound

The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was established in 1969, in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The famous musical group of Barry Beckett, Jimmy Johnson, David Hood and Roger Hawkins separated from FAME studios in order to create a studio of their own. The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was formed as a result of this. The studio was initially known as The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. It was also the only rhythm section in its time to have a studio of its own.

The rhythm section which split ways to create this studio, was initially founded in 1967. It played numerous sessions in Nashville and New York. The early successes helped bring more and more famous rock performers like Willie Nelson, Boz Scaggs, Lulu, Traffic, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Elkie Brooks to the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. The famous rock band from the 1950s, Bill Haley& His Comets, recorded its first 2 albums in the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

Achievements:

The Muscle Shoals Sound Studios helped develop work for famous artists like Paul Simon and Bob Dylan. “The Staple Singers” had their most successful songs like “Respect Yourself” and “I’ll Take You There” recorded at the studios. Bob Seger’s hit, Old Time Rock and Roll, was another successful song recorded at the studios. Roger Hawkins, Barry Beckett and David Hood were actually hired by the famous English rock band, Traffic. The three of them traveled with Traffic for a long time and played an important role in many of their successes.

The facilities provided by the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio were very impressive. The distinctive arrangements have been heard on a large number of great recordings by Aretha Franklin, The Staple Singers and Wilson Pickett.

The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio has also been listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Lynyrd Skynyrd mentioned the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in his famous “Sweet Home Alabama”. He credited the studios for his success and pointed out that it was because of the studios that he could come back again and again and deliver timeless hits. The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is situated at 3614, Jackson Highway in the small but extremely famous city of Muscle Shoals. The studio along with its father organization, FAME studios has brought the city of Muscle Shoals on the world map.