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Royal Studios

October 19, 2023

Royal Studios is a recording studio located in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Established in 1956, it is one of the oldest continuously operated music recording studios in the world.

Royal Studios
IndustryRecording Studio
FoundedMemphis, Tennessee
1956
HeadquartersMemphis, Tennessee, United States
Key people
Willie Mitchell (Owner)
Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell (Owner)
WebsiteWilliemitchell.com

It is widely known for producer, recording artist and owner, Willie Mitchell, and notable productions of Al Green, Chuck Berry, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, My Morning Jacket, Robert Cray, De La Soul, Otis Rush, Keith Richards, Solomon Burke, The Bo-Keys, Bobby Blue Bland, Ann Peebles, Ike & Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Anthony Hamilton, Rod Stewart, Paul Rodgers, Cody Chesnutt, Sam Moore as well as the Barnyard and Soul Men soundtracks.[1][2][3]

The studio is operated by the family of Willie Mitchell with son Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell serving as manager/engineer, son Archie Mitchell serving as an engineer and daughter Oona Mitchell serving as administrator.[4]

Establishment Edit

Royal Studios was founded in 1956 in Memphis, Tennessee, as the operating studio of Hi Records.[5]

The original structure was used as a movie theatre, with Shamrock Theatre opening at the location in 1915. Early theatres of this type showed silent movies and were called nickelodeon theatres because of their nickel admission. The Rex Theatre, a previously open-air theatre, took over the location and replaced the Shamrock Theatre. It was converted to sound in the early 1920s and renamed as Royal Theatre.[6][7][8]

Royal Theatre remained a neighborhood theatre until it closed in 1955.[7][8]

In 1956 the theatre was rented by Hi Records’ President Joe Cuoghi, his partners Quinton Claunch and John Novarese as well as three silent partners including Cuoghi's lawyer, Nick Pesce. Hi Records converted the theatre into Royal Recording Studios and opened the doors in 1956.[5]

History Edit

Soon after its establishment in 1956, Royal Studios became known as the “House of Instrumentals”. This name was due to its production of instrumentals hits including Bill Black Combo's “Smokie Part 2”, “Josephine”, “White Silver Sands” and “Don’t Be Cruel” with each selling over a million copies.[5]

In the early 1960s, Hi Records hired Willie Mitchell as a recording artist and producer. His involvement with Royal Studios steadily evolved over the 1960s.[5]

Hi Records founding president, Joe Cuoghi, died in 1970 and the Hi Records label had to restructure. Attorney Nick Pesce became President and Willie Mitchell was promoted to Vice President. The Royal Studios facility came under the direction of Willie Mitchell and was renamed Mitchell's Royal Sound Studio.[9]

In 1968, Willie Mitchell met Al Green and offered him a record deal. Willie Mitchell and Al Green began producing and co-writing an album titled “Green Is Blues” – Al Green’s first album released on Hi Records. After this start, Willie Mitchell and Al Green collaborated on seven consecutive gold singles starting in 1970. Al Green sold over 20 million records during his career with Hi Records. For the purpose of perspective and comparison to a similar label, this was more than the combined album sales of Stax Records top recording artists Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and Booker T. & the M.G.'s during their entire careers.[10][11]

Other notable artists with albums produced at Royal Studios during this time include Bobby Blue Bland, Chuck Berry, Ike & Tina Turner, Otis Clay, Ann Peebles, Rod Stewart, and Syl Johnson.[2]

Reaching its commercial peak in the early to mid-1970s, Hi Records declined during the late 70s as a result of soul music being replaced by disco.[5] Despite the decline of Hi Records, Royal Studios remained continuously in production of consistent hits from the 1957s through the present.[9]

Present Edit

Operation and facilities Edit

Royal Studios is in operation at the original location under the management of Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell, one of the sons of Willie Mitchell. His credit roster includes independent artists and notable acts such as Anthony Hamilton, Rod Stewart, Al Green, Cody Chesnutt and 8 Ball.[4][12] Royal Studios features two vintage MCI recording consoles along with other rare equipment including two original Pultec EQs, Universal Audio LA2As and LA3As.[13]

Vintage tape machine collection Edit

Royal Studios remains in possession of one of the widest collections of studio grade vintage reel-to-reel tape machines. Several of the tape machines are unique and customized. The collection includes a uniquely modified 8-channel Ampex 351 with tube circuits replacing the entire transistor circuitry, a standard Ampex 351, Studer B 67, Sony APR-5000, MCI JH24 and MCI JH16.[13]

Notable recordings Edit

Royal Studios has served a variety of artists during its operation. The list below is of notable albums which feature recordings from Royal Studios. These albums went Platinum, Gold or won a Grammy or other significant recognition.

[1][2][3][4][10][12][14]

References Edit

  1. ^ a b "Willie Mitchell: Memphis-based producer, arranger and songwriter for Al Green, Ann Peebles and Wet Wet Wet". The Independent. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  2. ^ a b c "Hi Records - CDs and Vinyl". Discogs.com. 2016-01-06. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  3. ^ a b . Archived from the original on 2011-10-15. Retrieved 2017-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ a b c . 2010-03-31. Archived from the original on 2012-05-02. Retrieved 2017-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ a b c d e Hazen, Cindy and Freeman, Mike. Memphis Elvis-Style. Winston-Salem: John F. Blair, Publisher. 1997. ISBN 978-0-89587-173-2
  6. ^ Bowers, David. Nickelodeon Theatres and Their Music. New York: The Vestal Press. 1988.
  7. ^ a b Memphis City Directory. 1915, 1927, 1956, 1957
  8. ^ a b Andria Lisle. "'Everything's coming full circle' as Willie Mitchell's sons carry on his Memphis music legacy". Commercialappeal.com. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  9. ^ a b Hoffmann, Frank W. Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound, Volume 1, p. 491. New York: Routledge. 2004. ISBN 0-415-93835-X
  10. ^ a b Guralnick, Peter. Sweet Soul Music. New York: Harper and Row., 1986.
  11. ^ Parles, Jon and Romanowski, Patricia, ed. The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. New York: Rolling Stone Press/Summit Books., 1983.
  12. ^ a b "FISHEYE MUSIC - The professional music production network for recording, mixing and mastering". Fisheye-music.com. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  13. ^ a b . Archived from the original on 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  14. ^ "Willie Mitchell Legendary Producer at Hi Records & Royal Studio, Memphis Passes Away". Offbeat Magazine. Retrieved 2017-07-12.

External links Edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Studios (Memphis).
  • Official website

October 19, 2023
royal, studios, recording, studio, located, memphis, tennessee, united, states, established, 1956, oldest, continuously, operated, music, recording, studios, world, industryrecording, studiofoundedmemphis, tennessee1956headquartersmemphis, tennessee, united, s. Royal Studios is a recording studio located in Memphis Tennessee United States Established in 1956 it is one of the oldest continuously operated music recording studios in the world Royal StudiosIndustryRecording StudioFoundedMemphis Tennessee1956HeadquartersMemphis Tennessee United StatesKey peopleWillie Mitchell Owner Lawrence Boo Mitchell Owner WebsiteWilliemitchell comIt is widely known for producer recording artist and owner Willie Mitchell and notable productions of Al Green Chuck Berry John Mayer Buddy Guy My Morning Jacket Robert Cray De La Soul Otis Rush Keith Richards Solomon Burke The Bo Keys Bobby Blue Bland Ann Peebles Ike amp Tina Turner Tom Jones Anthony Hamilton Rod Stewart Paul Rodgers Cody Chesnutt Sam Moore as well as the Barnyard and Soul Men soundtracks 1 2 3 The studio is operated by the family of Willie Mitchell with son Lawrence Boo Mitchell serving as manager engineer son Archie Mitchell serving as an engineer and daughter Oona Mitchell serving as administrator 4 Contents 1 Establishment 2 History 3 Present 3 1 Operation and facilities 3 2 Vintage tape machine collection 4 Notable recordings 5 References 6 External linksEstablishment EditRoyal Studios was founded in 1956 in Memphis Tennessee as the operating studio of Hi Records 5 The original structure was used as a movie theatre with Shamrock Theatre opening at the location in 1915 Early theatres of this type showed silent movies and were called nickelodeon theatres because of their nickel admission The Rex Theatre a previously open air theatre took over the location and replaced the Shamrock Theatre It was converted to sound in the early 1920s and renamed as Royal Theatre 6 7 8 Royal Theatre remained a neighborhood theatre until it closed in 1955 7 8 In 1956 the theatre was rented by Hi Records President Joe Cuoghi his partners Quinton Claunch and John Novarese as well as three silent partners including Cuoghi s lawyer Nick Pesce Hi Records converted the theatre into Royal Recording Studios and opened the doors in 1956 5 History EditSoon after its establishment in 1956 Royal Studios became known as the House of Instrumentals This name was due to its production of instrumentals hits including Bill Black Combo s Smokie Part 2 Josephine White Silver Sands and Don t Be Cruel with each selling over a million copies 5 In the early 1960s Hi Records hired Willie Mitchell as a recording artist and producer His involvement with Royal Studios steadily evolved over the 1960s 5 Hi Records founding president Joe Cuoghi died in 1970 and the Hi Records label had to restructure Attorney Nick Pesce became President and Willie Mitchell was promoted to Vice President The Royal Studios facility came under the direction of Willie Mitchell and was renamed Mitchell s Royal Sound Studio 9 In 1968 Willie Mitchell met Al Green and offered him a record deal Willie Mitchell and Al Green began producing and co writing an album titled Green Is Blues Al Green s first album released on Hi Records After this start Willie Mitchell and Al Green collaborated on seven consecutive gold singles starting in 1970 Al Green sold over 20 million records during his career with Hi Records For the purpose of perspective and comparison to a similar label this was more than the combined album sales of Stax Records top recording artists Otis Redding Sam and Dave and Booker T amp the M G s during their entire careers 10 11 Other notable artists with albums produced at Royal Studios during this time include Bobby Blue Bland Chuck Berry Ike amp Tina Turner Otis Clay Ann Peebles Rod Stewart and Syl Johnson 2 Reaching its commercial peak in the early to mid 1970s Hi Records declined during the late 70s as a result of soul music being replaced by disco 5 Despite the decline of Hi Records Royal Studios remained continuously in production of consistent hits from the 1957s through the present 9 Present EditOperation and facilities Edit Royal Studios is in operation at the original location under the management of Lawrence Boo Mitchell one of the sons of Willie Mitchell His credit roster includes independent artists and notable acts such as Anthony Hamilton Rod Stewart Al Green Cody Chesnutt and 8 Ball 4 12 Royal Studios features two vintage MCI recording consoles along with other rare equipment including two original Pultec EQs Universal Audio LA2As and LA3As 13 Vintage tape machine collection Edit Royal Studios remains in possession of one of the widest collections of studio grade vintage reel to reel tape machines Several of the tape machines are unique and customized The collection includes a uniquely modified 8 channel Ampex 351 with tube circuits replacing the entire transistor circuitry a standard Ampex 351 Studer B 67 Sony APR 5000 MCI JH24 and MCI JH16 13 Notable recordings EditRoyal Studios has served a variety of artists during its operation The list below is of notable albums which feature recordings from Royal Studios These albums went Platinum Gold or won a Grammy or other significant recognition 1966 Charlie Rich Love Is After Me USA 1967 Chuck Berry Chuck Berry In Memphis USA 1968 Ike and Tina Turner Too Hot To Hold USA 1969 Ike and Tina Turner The Hunter USA 1970 Al Green Gets Next To You USA 1971 Al Green Let s Stay Together USA 1972 Al Green I m Still In Love With You USA 1973 Al Green Livin For You USA 1973 Al Green Call Me USA 1974 Otis Clay Trying To Live My Life Without You USA 1974 Ann Peebles I Can t Stand The Rain USA 1974 Al Green Explores Your Mind USA 1975 Al Green Al Green Is Love USA 1975 Al Green Full of Fire USA 1975 Syl Johnson Take Me To The River USA 1975 Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing USA 1976 Al Green Have A Good Time USA 1977 O V Wright Into Something I Can t Shake Loose USA 1981 Jesse Winchester Talk Memphis USA 1985 Al Green He Is The Light USA 1986 Wet Wet Wet Popped In Souled Out UK 1988 Keith Richards Talk Is Cheap UK 1989 Al Green As Long As We re Together USA 1992 Pops Staples and The Staple Singers Peace To The Neighborhood USA 1994 Tom Jones The Lead and How To Swing It 1995 Toshio Orito Soul Joint Japan 1996 Krzysztof Krawczyk Poland 1997 Boz Scaggs Come On Home USA 1998 Otis Rush Any Place I m Going USA 2000 De La Soul Art Official Intelligence USA 2000 Marti Pellow Smile UK 2001 Robert Cray Shoulda Been Home USA 2001 Jean Jacques Milteau Memphis France 2002 Al Green I Can t Stop USA 2003 My Morning Jacket It Still Moves USA 2004 Al Green Everything s O K USA 2005 Buddy Guy Bring Em In USA 2005 Roy Young Memphis Israel 2005 Marti Pellow Moonlight Over Memphis UK 2006 Axelle Red Jardin Secret Belgium 2006 The Bo Keys Barnyard The Movie Soundtrack USA 2006 John Mayer Continuum USA 2007 Bernard Lavilliers France 2008 Anthony Hamilton Soul Men The Movie Soundtrack USA 2008 Denise LaSalle USA 2009 Rod Stewart Soul Book USA 2010 Solomon Burke Nothing s Impossible USA 2011 Cliff Richard Soulicious UK 2011 Cody Chesnutt Landing On A Hundred USA 2014 Sam Moore They Killed a King tribute song to Dr Martin Luther King Jr 1929 1968 2014 Paul Rodgers The Royal Sessions 2014 Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars Uptown Funk USA 1 2 3 4 10 12 14 References Edit a b Willie Mitchell Memphis based producer arranger and songwriter for Al Green Ann Peebles and Wet Wet Wet The Independent Retrieved 2017 07 12 a b c Hi Records CDs and Vinyl Discogs com 2016 01 06 Retrieved 2016 01 10 a b Hi Records Album Discography Archived from the original on 2011 10 15 Retrieved 2017 07 12 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link a b c THE PULSE Blog Archive Chatting With Boo Mitchell Owner of Royal Studios in Memphis 2010 03 31 Archived from the original on 2012 05 02 Retrieved 2017 07 12 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link a b c d e Hazen Cindy and Freeman Mike Memphis Elvis Style Winston Salem John F Blair Publisher 1997 ISBN 978 0 89587 173 2 Bowers David Nickelodeon Theatres and Their Music New York The Vestal Press 1988 a b Memphis City Directory 1915 1927 1956 1957 a b Andria Lisle Everything s coming full circle as Willie Mitchell s sons carry on his Memphis music legacy Commercialappeal com Retrieved 2017 07 12 a b Hoffmann Frank W Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound Volume 1 p 491 New York Routledge 2004 ISBN 0 415 93835 X a b Guralnick Peter Sweet Soul Music New York Harper and Row 1986 Parles Jon and Romanowski Patricia ed The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock amp Roll New York Rolling Stone Press Summit Books 1983 a b FISHEYE MUSIC The professional music production network for recording mixing and mastering Fisheye music com Retrieved 2017 07 12 a b Flipside Memphis Royal Studios Archived from the original on 2012 03 06 Retrieved 2017 07 12 Willie Mitchell Legendary Producer at Hi Records amp Royal Studio Memphis Passes Away Offbeat Magazine Retrieved 2017 07 12 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Royal Studios Memphis Official website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Royal Studios amp oldid 1159570878, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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