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Bearsville Studios

From Alfawiki
Bearsville Sound Studio
Company typeIndependent recording studio
IndustryMusic recording
Founded1969
FounderAlbert Grossman
Defunct2004
FateSold and converted into Bearsville at Turtle Creek; properties divested by 2004
SuccessorBearsville at Turtle Creek (partial)
Headquarters
Bearsville, near Woodstock
,
United States
Area served
Music artists and bands
Key people
Albert Grossman, Sally Grossman, Todd Rundgren
ProductsMusic recording services
OwnerAlbert Grossman (founder), later Sally Grossman, then Lizzie Vann (Bearsville Center from 2019)

Bearsville Sound Studio was an independent residential recording studio established by Albert Grossman in the Bearsville vicinity near Woodstock, New York. From the late 1960s through the early 2000s, it served as the recording site for numerous artists including Ozzy Osbourne, Todd Rundgren, Meat Loaf, Tesla, R.E.M., Jeff Buckley, Dave Matthews Band, and Phish.

Background

In 1964, Albert Grossman, known for managing Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul and Mary, arrived in Bearsville accompanied by his future spouse, Sally, along with Dylan. He envisioned a creative haven for his roster of artists. Bearsville Sound Studios became a component of a broader complex that included Bearsville Records, Turtle Creek Barn and Apartments, Location Recorders, Bearsville Theatre, and several dining establishments. Its location approximately two hours from New York City, combined with Grossman's ownership of nearby residences, made it an attractive retreat for musicians.

1969-1979

The initial studio facility, Studio B, was completed in 1969. It was originally designed by Robert Hansen and subsequently altered by John Storyk of the Walters-Storyk Design Group alongside acoustician George Augspurger. Studio A boasted a 2,400-square-foot tracking area featuring a ceiling height of 35 feet. The Turtle Creek Barn and Apartments merged recording amenities with private living quarters, initially intended for Robbie Robertson and Garth Hudson of The Band.

Todd Rundgren started his tenure at Bearsville as a staff engineer and producer, where he recorded his first three studio albums. Beginning in 1975, Meat Loaf collaborated with composer Jim Steinman at Bearsville to record Bat Out of Hell, which went on to become one of the highest-selling albums in history.

Other notable artists from the 1970s who recorded there included The Isley Brothers, NRBQ, the Patti Smith Group, and Foghat. In preparation for their US Tour, The Rolling Stones rehearsed at Bearsville between May 27 and June 8, 1978; these sessions were later issued as the four-disc collection Complete Woodstock Tapes.

1980s

In 1980, Grossman constructed Rundgren's Utopia Video Studio on the property, which was later repurposed to house radio station WDST. Studio A underwent renovation in 1985, incorporating a custom-built Neve 8088 mixing console previously utilized at The Who's Ramport Studios.

Following Grossman's passing in 1986, his wife Sally assumed leadership of Bearsville. Between 1986 and 1989, the studio hosted recording sessions for artists such as The Pretenders, Marshall Crenshaw, Suzanne Vega, Joe Jackson, and Tesla, who produced their first two albums there.

In 1988, during a turbulent ten-day period, The Replacements recorded at Bearsville; although this material was omitted from Don't Tell a Soul, it was eventually released in the 2019 box set Dead Man's Pop.

Starting with Green in 1988, R.E.M. recorded significant portions of three consecutive albums at Bearsville. Music historian Barney Hoskyns highlighted their presence as a notable era in the studio’s history.

In 1989, an existing barn was transformed into The Bearsville Theater to provide space for rehearsals and live music events.

1990s

During the early 1990s, Bearsville served as the recording venue for artists such as Living Colour and The Connells. Between late 1993 and early 1994, Jeff Buckley produced his sole studio album, Grace, within Bearsville's studios.

In 1994, Blues Traveler recorded their pivotal album Four (Blues Traveler album) at Bearsville. The Dave Matthews Band utilized the studio to create both their debut Under the Table and Dreaming (1994) and its successor Crash (Dave Matthews Band album) (1996), collaborating with producer Steve Lillywhite. Additionally, Bearsville was the site for recording Natalie Merchant's inaugural solo album Tigerlily (1995), alongside projects by Rush, Phish, Fear Factory, Faith No More, and the Branford Marsalis Quartet.

2000s

In the early 2000s, Bearsville Studios hosted recording sessions for a variety of musicians including Harvey Danger, Matchbox Twenty, The Derek Trucks Band, Saliva, and The Vines.

The original Bearsville Studios A and B facilities changed ownership in 2002 when the property was sold. Sally Grossman transformed parts of these former studios into Bearsville at Turtle Creek. By 2004, she had divested all properties associated with the Bearsville complex, encompassing the Turtle Creek Barn, Bearsville Theater, two dining establishments, and the Utopia soundstage.

Bearsville Center (2019-present)

In August 2019, Lizzie Vann acquired the Bearsville Theatre complex and subsequently reopened it under the name Bearsville Center. This acquisition prompted a comprehensive multi-million-dollar restoration project aimed at repairing significant water damage caused by roof leaks.

Selected list of albums recorded at Bearsville Studios (by year)

External links

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