Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Publication Date: June 17, 2025
Print length: 352 pages
ISBN-10: 0500028699
ISBN-13: 978 0500028698
The book is beautifully bound and printed on heavy-duty paper,
and the images are equally impressive. As you go from page to page, you think
that they are sticking together; however, it is because of the thickness of the
paper. That is a point to make, especially to those who like to keep
their books in good condition and want to have a long shelf life.
The book delves into the lives of music and recording legends,
chronicling their journey through the complexities of the industry, from
business deals to recording sessions, and the allure of sex, drugs, and rock
‘n’ roll. They truly epitomized the meaning of overindulgence on many levels
through their tumultuous journey.
The journey began with Frank Zappa’s idea of a studio (which he eventually
built at his home). Still, it was Jimi Hendrix who became the New York studio’s
first major client, paving the way for other legends, such as John Lennon, who
became a regular fixture once Hendrix established Electric Ladyland Studios.
The account of producers goes hand in hand with the recording
artists. They were as licentious as some of the artists. Sly Stone was one of
the most notorious drug addicts and was known for not showing up for shows or a
recording session. They counted on him as being their next Hendrix (which was a
mistake). The insanity that followed that man everywhere he went was a story
within a story.
The Record Plant studios eventually expanded to LA and
Sausalito, with the LA location eventually burning down (but has since been
restored).
The account of Stevie Wonder’s multiple Grammy-winning
recordings, and the use of the massive unit TONTO, which stood for The Original
New Timbral Orchestra, a revolutionary synthesizer that changed the landscape
of recorded music. His collaboration with two producers, Robert Margouleff and
Malcolm Cecil, who were the creators and operators of TONTO, was crucial to his
success.
Then there were all the drugs to choose from and the studios set
up with different themed bedrooms, a hot tub, anything to keep the musicians
there to keep recording, sometimes for 12 hours or more, then start all over again
the next day. This constant pressure and the lure of excess led to burnout
suffered by producers, engineers, staff, and recording artists, taking its toll
in innumerable ways.
On an interesting note, toward the end of the book... The album Hotel
California and the track were all about the studios in LA. Don Henley
refuted that, and Glen Frey agreed with a resounding yes that that song was
indeed about that.
In conclusion, this was a story about the price of success and
the pursuit of wealth through the recording music industry. I am giving fair
warning to those interested in reading about the music industry: make sure you
have something to drink and or eat before sitting down to read. I found it hard
to put down, and I finished it within a few days by setting aside
dedicated reading time.
Other Information provided by Amazon:
Based on the memoirs and archives of studio co-founder Chris Stone (1935-2016) and interviews with over 120 studio employees, music producers, and recording artists, Buzz Me In narrates this previously untold story of classic rock ‘n’ roll as the authors retrieved it from industry insiders working days and nights on end behind the iconic studio’s locked doors, alongside the great musicians of the 20th century. In essence, authors Martin Porter and David Goggin buzz the reader into a realm where time was theoretical, and the pursuit of musical perfection was a collective obsession.
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck- MuzikMan.net Reviews
Founder
July 26, 2025
