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The Man from Muscle Shoals: My Journey from Shame to Fame
This is the story of legendary record producer Rick Hall and his historic role in the development of the world-famous "Muscle Shoals sound."
Although virtually every major record producer, songwriter, artist, and musician is familiar with its musical power and influence, the recording industry of Muscle Shoals remains the music world's most fascinating and untold story. In a tiny north Alabama town on the banks of the Tennessee River, a close-knit group of true music believers recorded hundreds of hit records for the rhythm-and-blues, rock 'n' roll, pop, Southern rock, teeny pop, and the country music markets. Many of these chart- topping hits went on to become timeless musical standards.
Rick Hall made music history when he founded FAME Recording Studios, which was the first professional recording studio not only in Muscle Shoals, but in the entire state of Alabama. After producing and engineering the area's first national hit on Arthur Alexander's Southern Soul classic "You Better Move On," Rick went on to earn international fame and acclaim and eventually a Grammy for a lifetime of achievements in the music industry.
In the days when Martin Luther King Jr. was marching for freedom, and Alabama Gov. George Wallace was standing in the doorway of the University of Alabama, Rick proved to be a civil-rights pioneer in his own right, promoting racial harmony through the healing and uplifting power of his music. In the color-blind atmosphere of FAME and Muscle Shoals music, Rick produced hit records for black artists in those tense and trying days when black was black and white was white. His records helped introduce white audiences to the black music market and black audiences to the white music market.
From the moment "You Better Move On" hit the charts, record labels literally flocked to Muscle Shoals for Rick to produce and engineer a mind-boggling array of major artists, from Aretha Franklin to Bobbie Gentry, from the Osmonds to Alabama, from Wilson Pickett to Mac Davis, from Duane Allman to Paul Anka, from Etta James to Liza Minnelli, and from Clarence Carter to Andy Williams. His astonishing abilities as a record producer were matched only by the incredible range of his versatility.
Music fans, history buffs and others will be delighted to read the fascinating tales of just how Rick Hall managed to launch the music careers of so many famous artists.
Readers who enjoyed Every Night's a Saturday Night: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Legendary Sax Man Bobby Keys will greatly enjoy this book.
Although virtually every major record producer, songwriter, artist, and musician is familiar with its musical power and influence, the recording industry of Muscle Shoals remains the music world's most fascinating and untold story. In a tiny north Alabama town on the banks of the Tennessee River, a close-knit group of true music believers recorded hundreds of hit records for the rhythm-and-blues, rock 'n' roll, pop, Southern rock, teeny pop, and the country music markets. Many of these chart- topping hits went on to become timeless musical standards.
Rick Hall made music history when he founded FAME Recording Studios, which was the first professional recording studio not only in Muscle Shoals, but in the entire state of Alabama. After producing and engineering the area's first national hit on Arthur Alexander's Southern Soul classic "You Better Move On," Rick went on to earn international fame and acclaim and eventually a Grammy for a lifetime of achievements in the music industry.
In the days when Martin Luther King Jr. was marching for freedom, and Alabama Gov. George Wallace was standing in the doorway of the University of Alabama, Rick proved to be a civil-rights pioneer in his own right, promoting racial harmony through the healing and uplifting power of his music. In the color-blind atmosphere of FAME and Muscle Shoals music, Rick produced hit records for black artists in those tense and trying days when black was black and white was white. His records helped introduce white audiences to the black music market and black audiences to the white music market.
From the moment "You Better Move On" hit the charts, record labels literally flocked to Muscle Shoals for Rick to produce and engineer a mind-boggling array of major artists, from Aretha Franklin to Bobbie Gentry, from the Osmonds to Alabama, from Wilson Pickett to Mac Davis, from Duane Allman to Paul Anka, from Etta James to Liza Minnelli, and from Clarence Carter to Andy Williams. His astonishing abilities as a record producer were matched only by the incredible range of his versatility.
Music fans, history buffs and others will be delighted to read the fascinating tales of just how Rick Hall managed to launch the music careers of so many famous artists.
Readers who enjoyed Every Night's a Saturday Night: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Legendary Sax Man Bobby Keys will greatly enjoy this book.
400 pages, Paperback
First published March 17, 2015
8 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 30, 2020
I was surprised by the journey this book took me on. It puts you in rural Alabama from the late 30's on; you'll feel what it was really like to be Alabama poor and raised by a single dad. Rick Hall certainly had his share of tragedy growing up as well as challenges in later years - both personal and professional.
As for the music side of Rick Hall, the book takes you inside what it was like to almost single handily grow one of the most famous publishing and recording studios. There are many surprises.
While I read the book, it was easy to google up the songs Hall referred to and listen, making it a richer experience.
I found his story fascinating.
As for the music side of Rick Hall, the book takes you inside what it was like to almost single handily grow one of the most famous publishing and recording studios. There are many surprises.
While I read the book, it was easy to google up the songs Hall referred to and listen, making it a richer experience.
I found his story fascinating.
June 2, 2015
An easy, quick read for anyone interested in the music business. I am a huge fan of music from the 60's and 70's. Muscle Shoals was a huge mover and shaker during that time. I do have a couple of minor observations. There are a few inaccuracies in the book such as Bobbie Gentry's guitar. Mr. Hall states it had 4 strings and in reality it had six. Minor detail, but I am a music guy and notice little things like that.
One thing that stands out in the book is the treatment of the Swampers, the studio musicians that formed the backbone of FAME in the early days. They are never mentioned by name and only spoke about in disparaging terms. These guys, along with Rick Hall, made FAME studios and put it on the map.
One thing that stands out in the book is the treatment of the Swampers, the studio musicians that formed the backbone of FAME in the early days. They are never mentioned by name and only spoke about in disparaging terms. These guys, along with Rick Hall, made FAME studios and put it on the map.
April 22, 2015
Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Arthur Connely, are just some of the people who recorded at Muscle Shoales, FAME Studios. Along with Stax Studios in Memphis, this is the most significant music created in the US since the great Blues period of Muddy Waters. This book is an indepth look at how all that great music came about. To name just two songs recorded at Muscle Shoals, by Rick Hall, founder, creator, everything and anything having to do with Muscle Shoals, Hall was Muscle Shoals, how about I NEVER LOVED A MAN, by Aretha Frankin, and MUSTANG SALLY, by Wilson Pickett, just to name two of the great songs to come out of Muscle Shoals.
June 14, 2022
My friends Steve and Lorelei went on a blues tour which included among other stops Clarksdale and Greenwood, Mississippi, and Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. They visited a variety of clubs, bars, and museums. They brought home many souvenirs, CDs, gee-gaws, and books. I borrowed The Man from Muscle Shoals: My Journey from Shame to Fame as told to Terry Pace by Rick Hall.
Rick Hall was a musician, songwriter, music publisher, and record producer. He is best known as the founder of the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The original business was started in Florence, Alabama, hence the name FAME (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises). Hall had a particular talent for discovering, developing, producing, and promoting music. It’s perhaps most notable that he did it in a variety of genres, gospel, pop, soul, R’n’B, and country. It’s not really name-dropping or bragging when one is actually responsible for advancing the careers of dozens of familiar stars. The list includes Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, The Osmonds, Alabama, The Allman Brothers, Mac Davis, Clarence Carter, Arthur Alexander, Paul Anka, Liza Minnelli, Alicia Keys, Tom Jones, Andy Williams, Bobbie Gentry, and many more.
Beyond being a treasury of information about music, musicians, and the music business, The Man from Muscle Shoals is also a fascinating character study. Rick Hall was a classic Type A personality. He was highly motivated, goal driven, competitive, and willing to take chances.
In 2014, Hall won the Grammy Trustees Award in recognition of his lengthy career. He died in 2018. An editorial in the Anniston Star (Alabama) concludes with this epitaph, "If the world wants to know about Alabama — a state seldom publicized for anything but college football and embarrassing politics — the late Rick Hall and his legacy are worthy models to uphold"
Rick Hall was a musician, songwriter, music publisher, and record producer. He is best known as the founder of the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The original business was started in Florence, Alabama, hence the name FAME (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises). Hall had a particular talent for discovering, developing, producing, and promoting music. It’s perhaps most notable that he did it in a variety of genres, gospel, pop, soul, R’n’B, and country. It’s not really name-dropping or bragging when one is actually responsible for advancing the careers of dozens of familiar stars. The list includes Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, The Osmonds, Alabama, The Allman Brothers, Mac Davis, Clarence Carter, Arthur Alexander, Paul Anka, Liza Minnelli, Alicia Keys, Tom Jones, Andy Williams, Bobbie Gentry, and many more.
Beyond being a treasury of information about music, musicians, and the music business, The Man from Muscle Shoals is also a fascinating character study. Rick Hall was a classic Type A personality. He was highly motivated, goal driven, competitive, and willing to take chances.
In 2014, Hall won the Grammy Trustees Award in recognition of his lengthy career. He died in 2018. An editorial in the Anniston Star (Alabama) concludes with this epitaph, "If the world wants to know about Alabama — a state seldom publicized for anything but college football and embarrassing politics — the late Rick Hall and his legacy are worthy models to uphold"
September 13, 2019
Overall it was interesting, but a bit dissapointed, I just wish it went more into the technical details about how the studio was built and the type of Mics and recording equipment used.... this place was after all like sacred ground for recording.
He's not that great a writer, but if you hang with it the story is good, and gives you an idea how hard times were for him in the early years.
He's not that great a writer, but if you hang with it the story is good, and gives you an idea how hard times were for him in the early years.
February 5, 2022
One of the best biographies I have ever read! As someone from the South, I know all too well the style of stories told by family members - and this book was like having a father or uncle recounting memories from their past.
August 25, 2017
This was such a gripping and raw collection of personal and professional stories. I recommend it highly!
April 12, 2025
Rick Hall is a legend and this is one of the finest auto biographies I’ve ever read. Hall had the world in a jug with the stopper in his hand, and he chose to always treat us with honesty in the form of beautiful music. Thank you Rick Hall!
July 6, 2015
It was an easy read with great stories about the music business. I thoroughly enjoyed his backstage knowledge and insight. It relates well to the Muscle Shoals documentary and really gives more in depth stories.
Grammar nazis beware, the first 100 pages or so may leave you twitching. I believe the intent was a raw narrative but it left me wanting to edit. I knew his sister's name after the first "introduction." Every time he mentioned his sister, he would say, "my sister, Wenoka" or he'd say "Wenoka, my sister." There were other instances but that bothered me the most.
Grammar nazis beware, the first 100 pages or so may leave you twitching. I believe the intent was a raw narrative but it left me wanting to edit. I knew his sister's name after the first "introduction." Every time he mentioned his sister, he would say, "my sister, Wenoka" or he'd say "Wenoka, my sister." There were other instances but that bothered me the most.
April 12, 2015
Easy to read and entertaining. Anyone who loves music and is familiar with the movie "Muscle Shoals" will absolutely love the book. It is a great personal story of how someone come come from practically nothing in hard scrabble NW Alabama to a giant in the recording industry and influencing music and careers. Artists from all over the world beat a path to FAME Recording Studios and the producing of Rick Hall who was awarded a Grammy Trustees Lifetime Achievement Award this past year.
February 1, 2016
Rick writes his story in about 100 bite-sized chapters and there's drama right from the beginning, so much so that, from about chapter 10 on, i found myself rooting for him ... what he manages to accomplish despite so much hardship is amazing ... i admire him, and his musical journey and the wide variety of big-named artists he worked with makes a winning, interesting story
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews