Mar
26
2009
Olympic Studios closes: A sad day for music
Author: admin
- Olympic Studios, now gone.
On January the 30th 2009, Olympic Studios closed its doors for the last time.
- Helios console
For decades, EMI have been unable to tap into the merchandising market for Olympic in the same way they had with Abbey Road, due to legal problems concerning the use of the name “Olympic”.
Nevertheless, Olympic has up until now braved onwards, producing great music by the likes of Eric Clapton, The Who, David Bowie, Thin Lizzy, The Beatles, The Small Faces, King Crimson, Sammy Davis Jr., Paul McCartney, Björk, Roger Waters, INXS, Hawkwind and Queen amongst many others, winning numerous UK recording industry awards for “Best Studio” along the way.
- EMI TG console
In modern times this trend has continued, with Olympic being home to the last few generations of SSL large-format in-line mixing console.
To say goodbye, the last remaining staff of Olympic Studios got together in the final week of business to record a cover of The Rolling Stones classic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”.
Here’s their version of the song, and the video they made to go with it…
Goodbye Olympic, and thanks for all the wonderful memories! Best of luck, everyone!
Discuss this story or anything else music-related or otherwise in our forum…
http://www.realmusicforum.com/forums/article-a-sad-day-for-music-t143.html
Tags: Abbey Road, Björk, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, forum, Hawkwind, Helios, INXS, Jimi Hendrix, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, music, Olympic, Paul McCartney, Queen, recording, Roger Waters, Sammy Davis Jr., SSL, Studios, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Small Faces, The Who, Thin Lizzy
forums theme -
April 25th, 2009 at 5:18 am
I recorded there many times with Stiff Little Fingers and have the fondest memories of the place. So sad to hear it’s not working anymore. I’ll never forget it or the fine folks we worked with. If anyone has contact numbers for the likes of Bill Gill, Laurence Burrage or, best of all, the great Doug Bennett, I’d really appreciate it.
Hanx!
Jake.
April 26th, 2009 at 5:40 am
Hi Jake, great to see you at the RMF!
I used to work at Olympic myself, (4 years as a techie) so I too have many fond memories of the place.
I don’t recognise any of those names, but I do still know all the old staff (from just before it closed) so if you think anyone in particular might be able to help, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.
Best regards,
Phil
May 9th, 2009 at 2:57 am
I feel there were politics that caused the the closure of Olympic, EMI due to their backward thinking could not see the marketplace was changing and as Abbey Road was their primary studio, Olympic had to go.
The arrogance of not seeling the studio to Bono just made it worse, it is at this point you can see EMI’s intentions.
To me there are possible solutions in keeping the studio, if it is still there.
1.site it under the a heritage banner, publicly funded, restore it to its original and recover the equipment such as the EMI TG desk.
2.Get bono to purchase it, but clause the contract so the studio can remain an earner.
3.Get the fans to purchase it by putting a appeal (request) on sites like Youtube, 1 million fans paying £5 a piece (I am sure there are a lot more) and ask the artists to add to these funds.
As a recording engineer getting back into the scene, I am seeing how the record labels are messing up the music which fans do not want, it seems logical to fight back and put two fingers are the money grabbing companies.
We have to do something, if it is not too late
May 13th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I seem to be reminded of a similar sense of sadness pervading several years ago (although under different circumstances) when Western Recorders in LA closed doors, for what was expected to be the last time. Well, fortunately providence and good sense prevailed and its back and earning and looking better than ever (with all the important good bits still untouched) I only hope that a similar outcome can be realised also here, again through providence but more importantly, lateral thinking (that is if the good folks at EMI dont feel they can’t run the risk of allowing such a resource to fall into the hands of their competition) However, the Media can be a powerful tool to bring public attention to bear, often forcing even the corporate Goliaths to relent.
May 13th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
It’s an absolute disgrace that Olympic closed. It should get a heritage banner. I hope some rich musician will see that this place needs to be saved for future generations.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Its 6 months down the line and no sign of helping this studio.
OK, I am in, who else, lets petition people.
Engineers, get in touch with the big boys like EC and lets see what we can do.
If you want to add, its chris@soundengineers.us
Lets do something before its too late
December 1st, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I played many nights at that studio for Phil Chapman [from Manchester]in 1973 to 1976 and loved every minute of it, my first single was ‘get your dance hall shoes on, by Mickey Anthony’ where i played lead guitar in the background, i saw many great guitars lying around and it led to me making hand made instruments for 31 years now, i will never forget that place and the many bands that recorded there what a sad thing to see it closed, Thanks Phil and thanks Billy for making me that amp from an old mains radio of 5 watts, thinking of you guys a lot, was there a guy called Rufus? there i seem to remember,Paul
January 18th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
I was really saddened to learn about this. I was inspired early on to become and engineer/producer my many of the albums that were made there and dreamed of someday working there. I’ve read that U2 was going to buy the studio. Does anyone have any updates on this development?
January 18th, 2010 at 2:16 pm
Hi Jake, its been a while! I too was very sorry to see Olympic close, as an ex staffer it held many happy memories for me, and was the creative home of a lot of really great mucic. Very happy to support any efforts to revive or preserve. If possible, please pass my email on to Jake.
Yes, Paul, there was a guy called Rufus there but I cant remember the surname. He was a little before my time, I think.
January 27th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
who cares
January 28th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Anyone that wants to tell Nyomi Sinclare she is a heartless selfish bitch with her head stuck up her arse, can do so by emailing her at:
nyomichick@yahoo.com
Yours, the RMF team.