I want to pay Tribute to one of the most legendary recordings studios in the music world, The Hit Factory.
The other legendary recording studios that come to mind are Abbey Road, Capital Towers, Olympic, Electric Lady, Chess, Sun, Hansa, Muscle Shoals, Criteria, Bearsville, Motown, Wally Heider, Sound City, Power Station, A&M, AIR, Ocean Way, Trident, Sunset Sound etc.
Sadly many of the above legendary studios have ceased to exist because it’s hard to survive in these days of advanced portable recording technologies of “decent” sound quality, at a fraction of a professional recording studio. But also gone are the cherished “live” interplay of band members in coming up with a song. The serious music money is now coming from touring and merchandising.
On 6 March 1975, Edward Germano, one of the principal owners of Record Plant Studios New York (another legendary recording studio), purchased The Hit Factory from Jerry Ragavoy.
Since then, The Hit Factory recording studios have existed in six different locations in New York City as well as in Miami and London.
So many iconic albums were recorded at The Hit Factory studios over the decades. Some of them are my all-time favourite albums.
They include – “Songs In The Key Of Life” (Stevie Wonder), “Double Fantasy” (John and Yoko Lennon), “Emotional Rescue” and “Steel Wheels” (Rolling Stones), “Voices” (Daryl Hall & John Oates), “Fear Of Music” (Talking Heads), “Born In The USA” and “Tunnel Of Love” (Bruce Springsteen), “Graceland” and “One-Trick Pony” (Paul Simon), “Bodyguard movie soundtrack” (Whitney Houston), “Talk Is Cheap” (Keith Richards), “Hell Freezes Over” (Eagles), “True Colours” (Cyndi Lauper), “Freedom” (Neil Young), “Foreign Affair” (Tina Turner), “Invincible” and “Dangerous” (Michael Jackson), “River Of Dreams” (Billy Joel), “X&Y” (Coldplay), “Ray Of Light” (Madonna), etc.
Sadly, the 421 West 54th Street building which housed The Hit Factory was sold and converted to high-end residential condominium housing. The Hit Factory is now down to one facility at 676 Broadway in Noho (North of Houston), New York City.
In 2016, I was lucky and privileged to have stepped foot into the The Hit Factory recording studio (then owned by Gibson Guitars) at 421 West 54th Street at the invite of Blondie when they were rehearsing for their Pollinator album.
The iconic Hit Factory at 421 West 54th Street (above image).
Blondie rehearsing at The Hit Factory at 421 West 54th Street (above image).
Debbie Harry rehearsing at The Hit Factory at 421 West 54th Street (above image).
Me at the former site of infamous 1970s disco extraordinaire Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street (above image), down the street from The Hit Factory recording studios. Exploring midtown Manhattan on foot after a fruitful hang-out and photography session with Blondie at The Hit Factory. Thanks, guys! Ended up having my dinner at Chipotle’s for the first time.
As I’m typing this blog, Blondie’s hit song “Maria” is playing over the airways (90.5FM 5.07 pm). Seriously. A sign.
Do keep watch for Blondie’s exciting new album out next year! Their hits and albums just keeps coming!
