Abbey Road Studios (formerly EMI Recording Studios) is a music recording studio at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London.[5] It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, which owned it until Universal Music Group (UMG) took control of part of it in 2013. It is ultimately owned by UMG subsidiary Virgin Records Limited.
The studio's most notable client was the Beatles, who used the studio – particularly its Studio Two room – as the venue for many of the innovative recording techniques that they adopted throughout the 1960s. In 1976, the studio was renamed from EMI to Abbey Road.
In 2009, Abbey Road came under threat of sale to property developers. In response, the British Government protected the site, granting it English Heritage Grade II listed status in 2010, thereby preserving the building from any major alterations.[6]
History
1920s–1940s
Originally a nine-bedroom Georgian townhouse built in 1831 on the footpath leading to Kilburn Abbey, the building was later converted to flats where the best-known resident was Maundy Gregory, who was famous (or infamous) for selling political honours.
In 1929, the Gramophone Company acquired the premises. The property benefited from a large garden behind the townhouse, which permitted a much larger building to be constructed to the rear; thus, the Georgian façade belies the true dimension of the building. The architectural partnership Wallis, Gilbert and Partners was hired to convert the property into a recording studio, an unusual request at the time.[7] Three purpose-built studios were constructed and the existing house was adapted for use as administration offices. Pathé filmed the opening of the studios in November 1931 when Edward Elgar conducted the London Symphony Orchestra in recording sessions of his music.[8][9]
Sale attempt
On 17 February 2010, it was reported that EMI had put the studios up for sale because of increasing debts. There was reported interest by property developers in redeveloping the site into luxury flats.[29] It had also been reported there was a possibility the studios could be purchased by the National Trust[30] to preserve what was in effect a historical building. A Save Abbey Road Studios campaign attempted to ensure the premises remained a working studio.[31]
On 21 February 2010, EMI stated it planned to keep the studio and was looking for an investor to help finance a "revitalisation" project.[32][33] Meanwhile, the British government declared Abbey Road Studios a Grade II listed building which protected it from major alteration.
Abbey Road Institute
In March 2015, Abbey Road Institute was founded as a school for music production and audio engineering.[37] In addition to the London location, Abbey Road Institute has schools in Amsterdam, Johannesburg, Miami, Paris and Sydney.[38] All of the campuses offer the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering. Some campuses offer additional short courses.
In April 2021, Abbey Road Institute London expanded and moved into and reopened Angel Recording Studios in Islington, North London. The building now accommodates students in the Institute's dedicated teaching spaces and studio and welcomes clients to Studio One.
In November 2025, Abbey Road Institute Mumbai opened, the first school in South Asia. A new campus in Los Angeles is set to open in 2026.
The Studios
Studio One
Studio One is the world's largest purpose-built recording studio. The studio is around 4,844 square feet and it can comfortably host anything from a 100-piece orchestra to a 100-member choir.
Studio Two
Studio Two Is the most popular room, famous for The Beatles and other iconic artists and bands. This room has been the heart of Abbey Road Studios for decades.
Studio Three
Studio Three is the smallest studio compared to Two and One and is famous for being used by the Beatles, Queen, Pink Floyd and Lady Gaga.
Further reading
External links
References
- Our Story Abbey Road, retrieved 6 July 2022^
- About us – Abbey Road Studios Abbey Road, retrieved 6 July 2022^
- {{National Heritage List for England |num=1393688|desc=Abbey Road Studios |access-date=18 May 2018}}^