King then introduced the song to the band the next day, and a hit was born. In interviews,unicorns has said that, during the night following the practice session, the chords and two main guitar solos came to him in a dream, note for note. 1 Creation and recording of southern man by neil youngĬreation and recording of southern man by neil young Īt a band practice shortly after bassist Ed King had switched to guitar, King heard fellow guitarist Gary Rossington playing a guitar riff that inspired him (in fact, this riff is still heard in the final version of the song and is played during the verses as a counterpoint to the main D-C+9-G chord progression).To think I’d stood where the Rolling Stones had recorded “Brown Sugar”, where Bob Segar had sang “Mainstreet” but more than anything where tragically “Ronnie van Zant” had recorded his last was a moving experience. You’re free to walk around, sit where the legends have sat, and just imagine the fun and mischief that was had during those epic recording sessions. There are no barriers or things hidden in glass cabinets. No high tech computerised junk, just darkened rooms, which if they could talk they’d have many an amazing story of how it created some of the greatest music ever recorded. As soon as you walk through the door the atmosphere hits you like a rock, it looks like time stood still. When you arrive it’s surprising as firstly it’s quite a small place and secondly there’s virtually nothing else there. So on a very cold November morning I drove the 2.5hr 150ml journey across the beautiful Tennessee and Alabama countryside to see for myself. The week before my visit I emailed “Bonnie” who was extremely helpful in arranging my trip there. As many of my musical heroes’ had recorded here I decided to add this place to my itinerary when visiting Memphis. I’d read much about the history of this legendary place, and also seen documentaries on TV. I can't wait to come back and bring my wife so that she can ezperience this amazing place. They offer a ton of t shirts and other items to choose from to remember your visit, once again consider what your money is going to before you complain about the prices. The price of the tour is $12 and I have no problem paying it in order to help preserve and keep this great studio and piece of American music history alive. It was just me on this tour so I had time to take in a lot of things and ask questions that they always had the answers to. The tour guides Colin and vicky (hope I spelled it right) were amazing and very informative. Sorry for my brief religious experience, the tour was amazing. Today I got to sit at that piano and but for a brief moment, imagine what it was like with Billy sitting there beside me, playing the bird as only he could play it. The band ran back inside and someone says "Why didn't you tell us you played piano?" to which Billy responded "You never asked". One day, during a recording session, the band took a break outside, meanwhile Billy sit down and charted out the guitar parts in Freebird and started playing them on the piano. He was originally just a roadie for the band, with no one knowing he was classically trained on the piano. I love his story and how he joined the band. Besides Ronnie, I have also loved Billy Powell, the keyboard player. Ronnie Van Zant and the boys recorded here several times over the years. My attraction to it, beside tons of great music that it produced, is Lynyrd Skynyrd. Today, I visited Rock and Roll's Holy Land, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama. I have walked where the King of Rock and Roll walked. I have been to the Promised Land of Rock and Roll, Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. It’s just a chance to walk in the footsteps of those who have entertained us for all our lives.īTW- you young spuds- it’s a chance to see what music shaped your parents and grand parents and to learn. MAKE 3614 Jackson Highway at must on your bucket list. OMG! My fingers would fall off trying to type them all. Rolling Stones, Traffic, Rod Stewart, Leon Russell (who is credited with the term “Swampers”), Linda Ronstadt, Wilson Pickett, Lulu, Boz Scaggs, Jimmy Cliff, Bonnie Bramlett, Staple Singers…. Sound familiar? Yeah, it Muscle Shoals Sound studio’s address was the title of Cher’s 1969 LP cut in that infamous building later released by ATCO. Odds on Favorites, one out of every five you yank out has a connection to 3614 Jackson Highway. Go to your LP collection and pull out an LP. But for now, Its’ Old and I’m Proud time). Ok all you old farts who refuse to let go of your LP collection (young spuds stand by.
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