Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Western Recording Studios



I was in Hollywood today for a business meeting and drove by Cello Studios, formerly known as Western Recording Studios, just to see what's going on with it. The studio has been closed down for awhile and the owner has filed for bankruptcy, so the future of this great (un-official) historical landmark is in limbo.



It is in my opinion the most legendary recording studio still in existence in Los Angeles. The building was originally a radio theatre and in the 1950's it was bought by the great recording pioneer, Bill Pitmam, who personally designed the three studios inside the building. (He also owned and designed the studio next door at 6050 Sunset Blvd, United Recording Studios. ) Roughly 80% of the Beach Boys 60's recordings were recorded at Western. Frank Sinatra recorded there, and so did The Mamas & Papas, Dean Martin, Lalo Schifrin, The Monkees, The Partridge Family, Vic Mizzy, Dean Martin, Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Burt Bacharach, Glen Campbell, Elvis Presley and many others.



According to a note on the front door, the building and its contents are being auctioned off in January. For more information go to http://www.nonmundane.org/~cello/



Somebody's got to do something to save this building!

2 comments:

bobbypennock said...

Chuck, thanks for posting this. It's a shame. I hope some Mighty Mouse comes by to save the day for this historic building. Bobby Pennock www.myspace.com/pennock

Anonymous said...

bummer - jeez, but, you know the building exterior is so non-descript... would be hard to interest some landmarks group, and I'll bet the real estate is worth way more now than it was then.