Legendary Recording: The Rolling Stones at Muscle Shoals Studio
In the world of rock ‘n’ roll and country music, there are iconic music studios that have hosted legendary musicians. Some of these studios include Abbey Road, Electric Lady, Sun Studio, Capitol Studio, RCA Studio B, and Muscle Shoals Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Renowned artists like Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Paul Simon, George Harrison, and Bob Dylan have all recorded at Muscle Shoals Studio. One of the studio's most famous tracks, recorded on December 2, 1969, was by the Rolling Stones.
Muscle Shoals Studio, located across the Tennessee River from Florence, Alabama, may appear unassuming with its one-story stone building. However, it has been the birthplace of hit songs like “Free Bird”, “Gotta Serve Somebody”, “Kodachrome”, and “Old Time Rock & Roll”. The Rolling Stones' chart-topping hit, “Brown Sugar”, was also recorded in this iconic studio.
On December 2, 1969, the Rolling Stones began recording at Muscle Shoals Studio and laid down the track “Brown Sugar”. There are conflicting claims about the inspiration behind the song, with Mick Jagger's secret girlfriend Marsha Hunt and Claudia Lennear both asserting their connection to it. The recording session also produced “Wild Horses” and “You Gotta Move”, making it one of the band's most productive sessions.
“Brown Sugar” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after its release in 1971, while “Wild Horses” peaked at No. 28. Although “You Gotta Move” was not released as a single, all three songs were featured on the Rolling Stones' 1971 album, Sticky Fingers, which topped the Billboard 200 chart. The success of these tracks solidified the album as one of the band's most successful.
Muscle Shoals Studio holds a certain allure that seems to enhance the creativity of those who enter its doors. While there is no concrete evidence of any supernatural influence, the three-day recording session by the Rolling Stones at the studio exemplifies the magic that surrounds it.