Muscle Shoals Sound Studio tour in Sheffield Alabama

In 1969 the Swampers founded Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and within months they were attracting hit recording artists from around the world who came to them in search of the signature sound that forever changed American music. Through the generosity of Beats Electronics the legendary studio has been authentically restored. From the vintage equipment in the control room upstairs to the orange carpet in the Swampers' party room downstairs, the building looks exactly as it did during those magical years between 1969 and 1978. Peek into the bathroom where Keith Richards put the finishing touches on Wild Horses or sit at the piano that Paul Simon played on Kodachrome.

The guided tour starts at the bottom of the hour in the basement of the iconic studio with an overview of the albums recorded there, two short videos and a some rock and roll surprises! Next is the "listening porch" and how it contributes to the success of the recording studio. The tour then goes back inside to the main studio to see the control room, isolation booths, original furniture, instruments and, of course, music. For the musicians this is not a "hands off" studio tour. Give the drums a whirl, or play a bass guitar that was played by Swamper David Hood or Jimmy Johnson as well as the piano used in Kodachrome, Old Time Rock and Roll, and other mega hits. 

The tour guides entertain questions as the tour progresses as well as taking questions at the end of the approximately 50 minute tour. The tour ends in the gift shop where merchandise available for purchase includes the original design T-shirt worn by Mick Jagger, Willie Nelson, Linda Rondstadt, Ronnie Van Zant, Keiffer Sutherland and numerous other celebrities.