Abbey Road studios for sale!

  Quote

Abbey Road, the iconic London recording studios, has been put on the market by EMI, according to the Financial Times.

 

EMI declined to comment to Billboard on the prospective sale of the studios, immortalized by the 1969 Beatles album of the same name. But the FT today (Feb. 16) reported that five people familiar with the situation said the major had been courting bidders for the studios at 3 Abbey Road in north London.

 

The FT said the sale could raise tens of millions. That might very slightly ease EMI's debt burden but it seems unlikely that funds would be available by June 2010, to assist in Terra Firma's covenant tests with Citigroup this year when the private equity owner expects to inject up to £120 million ($188 million).

 

The Abbey Road brand name would be a key part of any sale, if EMI wants to raise serious money. EMI and Abbey Road is about to launch a branded product range, beginning with clothing, bags and stationery. Abbey Road Live was launched last year that provides live recordings at concerts.

 

EMI bought the property in 1929 and converted it into recording studios. Sir Edward Elgar recorded "Land of Hope and Glory" with the London Symphony Orchestra in studio one in 1931, and the Beatles later recorded the majority of their songs there.

 

Pink Floyd recorded "Dark Side Of The Moon" at Abbey Road and, although it is too expensive for many artists today, the studio is able to accommodate orchestras. It has been used for scores to Hollywood films such as the "Lord Of The Rings" and "Harry Potter" franchises.

http://www.billboard.com/news/abbey-road-recording-studios-for-sale-report-1004068085.story#/news/abbey-road-recording-studios-for-sale-report-1004068085.story

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704804204575068963554333850.html

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I know that a LOT of the classic equipment from there was stripped over the years. But still. The space is legendary. I hope it goes to a good buyer that recognizes it's place in music history!

Immensely sad face. The place where I'm hoping to go to university supposedly hand a lot of pupils over to Abbey Road for their year in the industry. A lot of them are later employed in one way or another at or through Abbey Road. That's a real shame it's going. Hopefully whoever buys it will carry it on as a studio but I fear they most probably won't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J08mjAl-yw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaAIc17Mwyc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5sht8MB37o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzJ2NKp23WU

  On 2/16/2010 at 9:06 PM, futureimage said:

Immensely sad face. The place where I'm hoping to go to university supposedly hand a lot of pupils over to Abbey Road for their year in the industry. A lot of them are later employed in one way or another at or through Abbey Road. That's a real shame it's going. Hopefully whoever buys it will carry it on as a studio but I fear they most probably won't.

Man, that's cool. But I guess not anymore ;(

I never realized how hot David Gilmour was!

Thanks for the vids.

yeah those lips ;)

he looks like a fat skeleton these days

The floyd vids are from "Live From Pompeii"

If you have never seen it, you best get on it. One of the best musical video purchases you can ever make. Shows them live playing most of their best pre-dark side, and sid era tracks. Also shows lots of the recording of Dark side.

I was just thinking how awesome it would be to record an album at abbey road. Fill the main studio (studio A I think?) with synths, guitars, drums, mics, and crazy lights. Drop some acid and press record. I doubt anything amazing would really come out of it, but I know I would feel like I was doing the most amazing thing in the world while in there.

Abbey Road Studios get "protected status" as a historical building. Good news - would hate to see it ever be completely changed.

http://flavorwire.com/72628/abbey-road-studios-gets-protected-status

So it will end up a museum/tourist attraction?

yeah I mean wouldn't it be more profitable as a tourist spot than a mcdonald's/whatever else they could use the location for

  On 2/16/2010 at 9:37 PM, Brandi_B said:

I was just thinking how awesome it would be to record an album at abbey road. Fill the main studio (studio A I think?) with synths, guitars, drums, mics, and crazy lights. Drop some acid and press record. I doubt anything amazing would really come out of it, but I know I would feel like I was doing the most amazing thing in the world while in there.

it would be awesome, because recording at abbey road would give you the same talent as the beatles and martin.

same as if you know what boc had for breakfast you could etc..etc..

and JUST IMAGINE what you could do if you had EXACTLY THE SAME bass guitar as tom jenkinson.

YOU COULD FLY TO THE MOON.

I just saw an article (will get ref) yesterday, saying that it is not for sale, and only really in need of new financial backers. EMI be actin' crazy!

So in a way, it sort of is for sale in the means that financial backers can have input on the studio's use and function.

  On 2/23/2010 at 7:42 PM, loganfive said:

  On 2/16/2010 at 9:37 PM, Brandi_B said:

I was just thinking how awesome it would be to record an album at abbey road. Fill the main studio (studio A I think?) with synths, guitars, drums, mics, and crazy lights. Drop some acid and press record. I doubt anything amazing would really come out of it, but I know I would feel like I was doing the most amazing thing in the world while in there.

 

 

it would be awesome, because recording at abbey road would give you the same talent as the beatles and martin.

 

 

same as if you know what boc had for breakfast you could etc..etc..

 

 

and JUST IMAGINE what you could do if you had EXACTLY THE SAME bass guitar as tom jenkinson.

 

 

 

YOU COULD FLY TO THE MOON.

I already have all that talent without a big name studio

  On 2/23/2010 at 7:52 PM, Brandi_B said:

I just saw an article (will get ref) yesterday, saying that it is not for sale, and only really in need of new financial backers. EMI be actin' crazy!

 

So in a way, it sort of is for sale in the means that financial backers can have input on the studio's use and function.

 

  On 2/23/2010 at 7:42 PM, loganfive said:

  On 2/16/2010 at 9:37 PM, Brandi_B said:

I was just thinking how awesome it would be to record an album at abbey road. Fill the main studio (studio A I think?) with synths, guitars, drums, mics, and crazy lights. Drop some acid and press record. I doubt anything amazing would really come out of it, but I know I would feel like I was doing the most amazing thing in the world while in there.

 

 

it would be awesome, because recording at abbey road would give you the same talent as the beatles and martin.

 

 

same as if you know what boc had for breakfast you could etc..etc..

 

 

and JUST IMAGINE what you could do if you had EXACTLY THE SAME bass guitar as tom jenkinson.

 

 

 

YOU COULD FLY TO THE MOON.

 

 

I already have all that talent without a big name studio

ok.

purchased

thx for the heads up

lol

Awesome,

What are you planning to do with it?

i'm going to turn it into a skatepark

wicked. Will there be live bands and hot dogs?

  On 2/23/2010 at 8:56 PM, JohnTqs said:

i'm going to turn it into a skatepark

You are a genius.

I'd fly 12 hours to skate abbey road for sure.

the Beatles will be returning to play a set in april

also:

Run-DMC (3/5/10)

The Jimi Hendrix Experience (3/6/10)

The Sex Pistols (3/12/10)

Rick James (3/13/10)

The Supremes (3/19/10)

Buddy Holly & The Crickets (3/20/10)

The Jackson 5 (3/26/10) - Sold Out

J Dilla (3/27/10)

more tba

open mic every monday, sign ups at 7

free hot dogs, burgers, beer

tell your friends!

  On 2/23/2010 at 9:51 PM, Brandi_B said:

Will you be personally fixing my burger?