Buzz Me In: Inside the Record Plant Studios

by Martin Porter, Martin Porter

The inside story of Record Plant studios—the real "Hotel California"—that reveals how the greatest music of the seventies was recorded and why the artists checked out but rarely left.


In the seventies, Record Plant studios was at the heart of the largest boom in record production in music history. With studios in New York, Los Angeles, and Sausalito, and a fleet of remote recording trucks, Record Plant was everywhere there was music. In 1976 alone, three #1 albums—Stevie Wonder's Songs In The Key Of Life, the Eagles' Hotel California, and Fleetwood Mac's Rumours—were all recorded in Record Plant studios.


Based on the memoirs and archives of studio cofounder Chris Stone, and interviews with over one hundred studio employees, music producers, and recording artists, Buzz Me In narrates this previously untold story of classic rock 'n' roll as the authors received it from industry insiders working behind the iconic studio’s locked doors, alongside the great rock stars of the twentieth century.


This fast-paced and engrossing book, written by two seasoned music journalists, tells the incredible story of the evolution of Record Plant Studios, tape by tape, and of the hits that were manufactured there. Starting on New York's West Side in 1968 with the recording of Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, Record Plant expanded to LA, where Stevie Wonder produced his greatest hits, and then on to Sausalito where Sly Stone, Bob Marley, and Fleetwood Mac encamped; John Lennon made New York his post-Beatles home, and the Eagles conceived Hotel California while working in LA. Each location showcased the founders' proven formula of combining state-of-the-art audio, fantasy bedrooms, and group Jacuzzis, with sex, drugs, and celebrity jams.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History

352 pages, Hardcover

Published June 17, 2025

Reviews

[john · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing read for any music aficionado of the inside story of Record Plant studios―the real "Hotel California"―that reveals how the greatest music of the seventies was recorded and why the artists checked out but rarely left.

Stitching together meticulous research, interviews with industry insiders and engineers, and ephemera (including album covers, studio posters, and even invitations to Record Plant parties), the authors provide an exuberant account of a chaotic studio culture that fed some of the artists’ worst impulses while creating some of the 1970s' most memorable music... Rock fans will find this irresistible.

[stuart Eppsteiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are in your 60s or 70s and lived the music of the 60s and 70s you'll enjoy this fast read

A fast paced trip of the mid-to late 60s through mid-to late 70s rock music scene as told through the story of the Record Plants. If you were young during that time you'll enjoy this

[Kyle Villareal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazinggg book. A must-read for engineers/producers/musicians and anyone interested in recording history

[Michael Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book is the "Inside the Record Plant Studios" and that is a fascinating understatement. Incredible research into this important slice of rock 'n roll history, coupled with solid writing and amazing anecdotes. Like supposedly the 1st 300,000 vinyl copies of Hotel California have "is it six yet?" etched into the inner ring of the record. (The engineer was trying to control the partying of the Eagles and limited their substance intake until after 6pm.) The book chapters are also separated by playlists connected to the evolution of the Record Plant NYC into Record Plant LA and Record Plant Sausalito. An amazing history for anyone who loves the 60s, 70s, and 80s rock 'n roll.

Highly recommended!

[Don Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3 1/2). This book is an epic trove of information about a very famous recording studio group, its owners and the artists who recorded there. It is really for serious music nuts and 60's and 70's culture freaks only. It is tedious at times, but the information and stories that are recounted are just downright astounding and many of the people involved in these chapters are superstars. It is hard to understand how the owners survived financially, especially with the lifestyles they lived and the culture of the Record Plant studios, but it sure does make for some interesting reading. Another notch in my never ending music history education! Good stuff.

[George Kanakaris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deep dive into the rise and fall of a world class studio. Lots of info about the inner workings and insight into owners, engineers, producers, and musicians that passed through the doors.
If you bought this because Jimi Hendrix is on the cover and expected many details , not so much here. There is even a big mistake on page 46: 'Kramer’s name is on the tape box of the final mix, though Jimmy Robinson, Kellgren’s confidant and Band of Gypsys’ sax player, believed that “Gary’s sounds are all over that record.”'. Of course , as every Hendrix aficionado knows , BoG never had a sax player.
Other than that , a great read.

[Stuart David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s certainly not for everyone, but it hit me right in my musical wheelhouse.
The music of the entire 70’s, and all the artists, from the Record Plant Studios, was all so familiar to me. Fantastic stuff!

[Bernard Laugen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.35 A most excellent book on the iconic recording studio, the record plant. If you are a fan of rock music, this book is for you. It explores the decadent, hedonistic glory days of the record plant, one of the most successful recording studios of the 70s. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll are in abundance- all your favorite 70s rockers are here and accounted for! Tales of rock and roll excess abound- but at the heart of the story is the power of music. Ultimately, it's a great story of how two music biz unknowns came together to create one of the most important and iconic recording studios in the history of rock music.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate that you can't give a half star here, because I would give it 2 1-2 stars, not 2! Anyway, was hoping for more inside info on all the legends that recorded there, but there was much more about the guys who started it and worked there. Disappointing to me.

[Steve Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

For 70"s rock music fans this is a must read.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most impressively researched books I’ve read. Covers such a wide spectrum of music history and conveys just how much “magic” occurred within the walls of the three Record Plant Studios.