American Sound Studio

American Sound Studio
Company type	Private
Industry	Music recording
Founded	1964 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Founder	Chips Moman, Don Crews
Defunct	1972
Fate	Closed; original Thomas Street location demolished in 1989; East Memphis location renamed and later reopened as American Recording Studio in 2011
Headquarters	Memphis, United States
Area served	United States
Key people	Chips Moman, Don Crews, Brad Dunn (revival)
Products	Music recording services

American Sound Studio was a recording facility based in Memphis, Tennessee, active from 1964 until 1972. Established by Chips Moman, the initial site at 827 Thomas Street was referred to as American North, whereas the studio located at 2272 Deadrick Street became known as American East or the Annex.

More than 100 chart-topping tracks were produced at these studios, featuring the backing ensemble known as "The Memphis Boys" or the "827 Thomas Street Band." Prominent performers who recorded there included Elvis Presley, Joe Tex, Wilson Pickett, Bobby Womack, Joe Simon, Aretha Franklin, Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield, B. J. Thomas, and The Box Tops.

In 2011, producer and engineer Brad Dunn, along with partners, revitalized the American East location under the name American Recording Studio, aiming to maintain its historical significance.

Origins on Thomas Street

The inception of American Sound Studio occurred in 1964 at 827 Thomas Street in North Memphis, founded by producer Chips Moman alongside Don Crews. Between 1967 and 1971, roughly 120 hits recorded here entered the Billboard top 100 charts. At one point, recordings from this studio accounted for a quarter of Billboard’s top 100 songs within a single week, all featuring the same backing band. The Memphis Boys laid down 122 Top 10 hits with their consistent rhythm section, earning them the moniker “827 Thomas Street Band.”

The original studio on Thomas Street ceased operations in 1972 and was demolished in 1989; currently, a Family Dollar store occupies its former location, which is marked by a County historical plaque. Subsequently, Moman launched additional branches of American Sound Studio in Atlanta and Nashville, though these facilities are no longer functional.

American Recording Studio East

American Sound Studios and the Memphis Boys frequently utilized other Memphis-based studios such as Royal Studios, Sounds of Memphis, Ardent Studios, National Street Studios, Lyn Lou Studios, and also Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. To streamline production efforts, they acquired a second studio location.

They bought a property at 2272 Deadrick Avenue in East Memphis, originally constructed in 1967 as Onyx. This studio was commissioned by Steve Sholes of RCA Records and was distinguished as Memphis’ first recording facility purpose-built for that function. Onyx served several record labels and employed Ronnie "Angel" Stoots from the Mar-Keys alongside George Klein. The debut single recorded there was "Mama"/"Merry Go Round," produced by Bobby Manuel. By 1968, the studio attracted influential figures such as Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd from Atlantic Records, along with representatives from Dot Records and Paramount Records. In November 1968, ownership of both North and East studios by Moman and Crews was publicly announced in Billboard magazine.

In December 1968, Moman and Don Crews acquired Onyx and rebranded it American Recording Studio East or “The Annex.” The facility featured custom-built stereo echo chambers and an expansive tracking room suitable for horn sections and orchestral recordings—demonstrated by Presley's "Kentucky Rain" arranged by Glen Spreen. Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns recorded trumpet parts there, including those for Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline." Strategically situated near Memphis International Airport and John Grisanti's restaurant, American East complemented productions from the North Memphis studio between 1968 and 1972. Both studios were equipped similarly to allow smooth tape transfers and continuous workflow to satisfy production demands. Moman appreciated working discreetly at the East studio during this era.

The partnership between Moman and Crews ended in 1972; Crews restored American East to its original Onyx identity. After Crews retired in 1978, musicians and producers Doyle and Bernice Turner took over the studio. Following the closure of STAX's studio by 1975, Onyx became home to former STAX engineer/producer Allen Jones (the Bar-Kays, Isaac Hayes, Albert King, Kwik) as well as the Bar-Kays themselves from 1978 through 1988.

By 1990, producers Doug Easley and Davis McCain leased the facility, operating it under the name Easley McCain Recording until 2005. During this period, with Easley, McCain, and Stuart Sikes at the helm, artists such as Alex Chilton, Tav Falco, Rufus Thomas, The White Stripes, Loretta Lynn, Wilco, and Jeff Buckley recorded there. A significant fire in 2005 forced relocation activities by 2009.

Following fire damage to the Deadrick studio, it was purchased by an out-of-state developer. In 2006, Brad Dunn secured custodial authority to advocate for its reopening; his efforts were supported by family members including Donald "Duck" Dunn and involved consultations with Chips Moman along with Don and Erick Crews to safeguard this historic site. A trust created by owner David Gicking alongside Brad Dunn financed restoration efforts; phase one was completed in 2011.

In 2011, Brad Dunn (producer/engineer), Matt Martone, and Will Gilbert (engineer) reopened the facility as American Recording Studio. Owned jointly by David Glicking and Brad Dunn, it stands today as the only remaining physical site preserving the legacy of American Sound Studios.

Recording artists

In January 1969, Elvis Presley laid down his final chart-topping single, "Suspicious Minds," collaborating with producer and engineer Chips Moman. At this time, American Sound Studio was experiencing its prime, generating over 100 hit records within a three-year span for performers such as B. J. Thomas, Neil Diamond, and Dusty Springfield.

The Memphis Boys

The studio’s resident band, referred to as the 827 Thomas Street Band or the Memphis Boys, included musicians Reggie Young on guitar, Tommy Cogbill and Mike Leech handling bass duties, Gene Chrisman on drums, Bobby Wood at the piano, and Bobby Emmons playing organ. Their adaptability was instrumental in creating hits like Joe Tex’s "Skinny Legs and All," "I Gotcha," Wilson Pickett’s "I'm in Love," Joe Simon’s "Hangin' On," The Box Tops’ "Cry Like a Baby," Neil Diamond’s "Sweet Caroline," Merrilee Rush’s "Angel of the Morning," Elvis Presley’s "In the Ghetto," and Danny O'Keefe’s "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues." Tommy Cogbill’s bass lines are especially prominent on Dusty Springfield’s hit "Son of a Preacher Man." The group also contributed to flutist Herbie Mann’s 1969 jazz-rock landmark Memphis Underground. In recognition of their impact, the Memphis Boys were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in 2007.

Bobby Womack

Bobby Womack was affiliated with producer Chips Moman at American Sound Studio in Memphis, where he played on sessions for artists like Joe Tex and The Box Tops. Around 1967, he launched his own successful singles including "What Is This," "It's Gonna Rain," and "More Than I Can Stand," all released in 1968. As a songwriter, Womack penned tracks for Wilson Pickett, such as "I'm in Love" and "I'm a Midnight Mover." His guitar work is featured on significant late-1960s recordings by Aretha Franklin, including the Lady Soul album and the hit "Chain of Fools." Additionally, he contributed to sessions for Sly & the Family Stone’s 1971 album There's a Riot Goin' On and Janis Joplin’s Pearl, co-writing the track "Trust Me." In 1971, Womack recorded the instrumental "Breezin'" alongside jazz guitarist Gábor Szabó, which later became a hit for George Benson.

Joe Tex

Joe Tex produced significant hits at American Sound Studio including "Skinny Legs and All" (1967) and "I Gotcha" (1972). Initially intended for King Floyd, "I Gotcha" was re-recorded by Tex toward the end of 1971 and issued as the B-side to "A Mother's Prayer," from his album titled I Gotcha. DJs eventually flipped the single, propelling "I Gotcha" to number one on the R&B chart and reaching number two on the Pop chart. The track sold approximately three million copies.

Elvis Presley

During early 1969, Elvis Presley engaged in extensive recording sessions marking his comeback at American Sound Studio. Among these were socially conscious songs like "In the Ghetto" and crowd favorites such as "Suspicious Minds," which became staples of his live performances. These sessions yielded four singles that charted: "Suspicious Minds," "Don't Cry Daddy," "In the Ghetto," and "Kentucky Rain." Two well-received albums were released in 1969: From Elvis in Memphis and the studio segment of From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis, with string and horn arrangements crafted at American East Studio by Mike Leach and Glen Spreen. The studio portion was later issued independently as Back in Memphis in 1970. Additional recordings from these sessions appeared on Elvis albums up through 1972, including his rendition of The Beatles’ "Hey Jude."

B. J. Thomas

B. J. Thomas rose to fame during the mid-1960s with soft rock hits such as "Hooked on a Feeling" and "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head", both recorded at American Sound Studio. The latter song, composed by Hal David and Burt Bacharach for the 1969 motion picture Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Thomas's rendition dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart for four consecutive weeks in January 1970 and maintained the top position on the U.S. adult contemporary chart for seven weeks. Notably, the track was completed in seven takes after Bacharach dismissed the first six attempts.

Dusty Springfield

Dusty Springfield rejuvenated her musical career with the soul-inspired album Dusty in Memphis, recorded at American Sound Studio. This work garnered her a 1970 Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. Widely regarded as one of the greatest albums globally, it features the hit single "Son of a Preacher Man", which reached the Top 10 internationally in 1969.

The Box Tops

The Box Tops found significant commercial success with Wayne Carson Thompson's composition "The Letter", which held the number one spot on Billboard for four weeks in late 1967. Produced by Dan Penn and showcasing 16-year-old lead singer Alex Chilton, this single sold more than four million copies and received two Grammy nominations. Their subsequent release, "Cry Like a Baby", climbed to number two on Billboard in 1968. While some instrumental parts were laid down by session musicians at American Sound Studio and Ardent Studios, band members performed on key tracks including "The Letter" and all live performances.

Neil Diamond

Sweet Caroline, recorded at American Sound Studio, represented Neil Diamond’s first significant hit following a period of career challenges. The trumpet section was provided by Wayne Jackson of The Memphis Horns at the studio’s Annex, American East.

References