Abbey Road: The Inside Story of the World’s Most Famous Recording Studio

by David Hepworth, Paul McCartney (Foreword)

With a foreword by Paul McCartney

'It's semi-devotional -- a really special place' Florence Welch
'There are certain things that are mythical. Abbey Road is mythical' Nile Rodgers

Many people will recognise the famous zebra crossing. Some visitors may have graffitied their name on its hallowed outer walls. Others might even have managed to penetrate the iron gates. But what draws in these thousands of fans here, year after year? What is it that really happens behind the doors of the most celebrated recording studio in the world?

It may have begun life as an affluent suburban house, but it soon became a creative hub renowned around the world as a place where great music, ground-breaking sounds and unforgettable tunes were forged - nothing less than a witness to, and a key participant in, the history of popular music itself.

What has been going on there for over ninety years has called for skills that are musical, creative, technical, mechanical, interpersonal, logistical, managerial, chemical and, romantics might be tempted add, close to magic.

This is for the people who believe in the magic.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, History, Audiobook, Ebooks

383 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2022

About the author

David Hepworth is a music journalist, writer, and publishing industry analyst who has launched several successful British magazines, including Smash Hits, Q, Mojo and The Word, among many others. He presented the definitive BBC rock music program Whistle Test and anchored the BBC's coverage of Live Aid in 1985. He has won the Editor of the Year and Writer of the Year awards from the Professional Publishers Association and the Mark Boxer Award from the British Society of Magazine Editors. He is the radio columnist for the Saturday Guardian and a regular media correspondent for the newspaper.

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hepworth puts you literally right into the studio recounting the history of the most famous recording studio in the world. The origin of the building, the producers, artists, stories, and more are all given their chapters and it was a neat read especially for a Beatles fan like me.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written account of the history of Abbey Road and its spotlight moments, as well as the evolution of recording technology. I did find, however, that studio stories and anecdotes were often cut short leaving me wanting to know even more.

There's a lot of history to get through and it is a story about the studio rather than musicians who recorded there, but I didn't feel even the chapter titles were completely reflective of the chapter contents (i.e. Chapter 19 is Tina Turner, the CD Gold Rush and the Appliance of Science yet Tina only gets one paragraph). Don't get me wrong, there were some great stories told about recording sessions, especially with Pink Floyd, but I feel like Hepworth skimmed the surface to save words for his constant reiteration of Abbey Road being a magical place (which it definitely is, but I could infer from the personal stories which I value more than the author's obvious opinion). The book is also very Eurocentric which is probably to be expected but it's made me want to learn more about popular music created outside of Britain (and North America for that matter).

Perhaps I'm too critical, having read and watched only a handful of musical documentaries, the stories I wanted more of could be living somewhere else and Hepworth didn't want to repeat (especially since he has written other novels on musicians and their industry).

Having just visited Abbey Road and seen the studio from outside its gated fence, I definitely have more appreciation of the staff and talent who started the studio and have kept it running throughout the 20th century and now into the digital age. If you're interested in knowing more about the history of "the world's most famous recording studio" and its technology, I think this is a good primer for enthusiasts or post-secondary students/professors.

[Andrew Pratley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this fascinating book whilst listening to the author read the Audible version. I had approached the book with a certain amount of trepidation since my father was featured in it & I was wondering if the author would get it right. The quick answer is that he did though it was obvious he didn't know all that much about him & that doing so would have made the book better since he was quite a central figure in the studio's heyday during the 1960's. Aside from that the book covered its subject well & the opinions it expressed were on the whole ones I share. There was an odd passage about how the Beatles were first recorded & handled. It was as if the author was seeking to protect George Martin's reputation. George whom I knew when growing up was a wonderful record producer. He was no saint though. Good historical writing should seek to provide a fuller, balanced & more realistic account rather than version of events which is somewhat sanitized. This book though in its defense is not a history book. David Hepworth is not a historian. He is though a good writer. Those reservations aside I would happily recommend it to general & even specialist readers.

[Adam Murfet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with lots of detail and history. A must read for all music enthusiasts!

[Bruno Laschet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Geschichte der 'Abbey Road-Studios'! Gegründet 1931, viel Musik, viele Stars, viel Technik, viele Tontechniker und natürlich die Beatles und Pink Floyd.
Ein Buch für Technik-, Musik- und Aufnahme-Fans. Natürlich viel über die Beatles, George Martin und ihr Album 'Abbey Road'. Aber nicht nur. Eine Zeitreise von Schallplatte, zur CD und bis zum Streamen. Für mich als Musik- und Beatles-Fan ein tolles Buch.

[Ross Cumming · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read most of David Hepworth’s books which are mostly all music based and have found them all to be very readable, informative and also highly entertaining. In this one he does exactly what the title says and basically relates the history of Abbey Road Studios and does it in a very enjoyable and entertaining manner. He charts its course from its inception in 1931, where it was originally used to record classical music through the decades, where it was used for recording all types of music including pop, rock, novelty records through to film and even gaming soundtracks. He does this by focusing on the various artists who are most widely associated with the studio, such as the Beatles and Pink Floyd but also references the various ‘boffins’ who worked at the studio and who were probably the ones ultimately responsible for the ‘magic’ that was produced on these artist’s recordings. He also relates the developments in technology that was created and used within the studio and although this could be a dry topic, Hepworth doesn’t get too bogged down in technical detail and I found that even I could understand the most complicated of processes. The book is also full of revealing anecdotes regarding the various artists, employees and also relating to the actual idiosyncrasies of the studios themselves. Hepworth maybe strips away the mystique of what goes on in a recording studio but also he reveals that there’s a lot more involved in the process, than us, the mere listeners would be aware of in the making of a record.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mention Abbey Road and most people immediately think of The Beatles — and, of course, the famous zebra crossing outside the studio. “London has many such crossings,” Hepworth notes, “but this one is unique. It’s the only one in the land which is listed as a site of outstanding historical interest.” The Beatles first recorded at Abbey Road in 1962 and, on 1 July 1963 between 2.30 and 5.30, they cut “She Loves You,” the record that, according to the author, “brought the world to its knees.”

But The Beatles weren’t the only artists to leave their mark there. Long before them, Abbey Road had an illustrious history: initially home to classical musicians, it also recorded artists as varied as Paul Robeson, Peter Sellers and — delightfully — Bernard Cribbins. After The Beatles came Pink Floyd, and later the studio became home to major film soundtracks, including Star Wars.

Hepworth’s history doesn’t just revisit the Beatles era; it traces nearly a century of recording innovation. Beginning with the studio’s founding by EMI in the 1930s, he follows the technological shifts from 78s to tape, CDs, and digital streaming. He shines a light on the wide range of artists who passed through its doors — classical performers, pop giants, film composers — while also exploring the business, technical, and human sides of the studio: the engineers, the managers, and how Abbey Road continually adapted to survive changing times.

The book is well researched and ambitious, and by not focusing solely on The Beatles it delivers a balanced account with real technical depth. For me, though, the human stories were the highlight — the artists, the engineers, and the everyday chaos and brilliance behind the glass.

One of my favourite anecdotes is Pink Floyd’s attempts to assemble Atom Heart Mother. Struggling with the piece, they left Ron Geesin to “fix” it while they went on tour in America. He brought in ten brass players and a twenty-piece choir to perform his arrangement. Chaos followed:
“Legitimate musicians, called in apparently to do the unclear bidding of some bunch of longhairs who couldn’t even tune their own instruments, were apt to cut up rough from time to time. This was one of those times. Geesin… made the mistake of asking the brass players what they thought rather than simply telling them what he wanted. When things became so heated with one musician that it appeared Ron was about to punch him, somebody in the control room suggested he withdraw to a safe distance.”
The remainder of the session had to be conducted by the vastly more experienced John Alldis.

Overall, Abbey Road is an entertaining, informative and often nostalgic read — a love letter to a building that has quietly shaped the sound of the last century. Whether you’re a Beatles fan, a music-history buff or simply someone who loves a good behind-the-scenes story, it’s well worth picking up.

[Timothy Grubbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique biography of a recording studio…

Abbey Road: The Inside Story of the World's Most Famous Recording Studio by David Hepworth is an impressive bit of documentation on the history of the recording studio on Abbey road that was heavily connnected to the Beatles but has a significantly larger history.

The studio on Abbey Road (I won’t give it a name as it had a couple different ones) was a major part of the londob music scene since the 1930s (started in 1929 but took some time to make a mark). During the nearly next century of operation, it saw numerous acts beyond the Beatles including Pink Floyd, Rush, David Bowie, Radiohead, and others.

The studio would adapt to musical trends, benefit from them, and even influence them (notably with the increased prominent of the Mellotron). Their employees and the studio would aid in the war effort during World War II in their own way, and they’d help record all manner of music styles, instruments, and performers.

This isn’t just the history of the music on abbey road, but also the employees, producers, and performers that passed through across several decades. It’s the history of the sound equipment and audio engineering that was developed and implemented across multiple generations of musical recording.

Yes, it’s very dry at times, but it’s a chronicle of how music recording changed over the decades…while also tipping a hat to the evolution of the careers of various figures that happened to be connected to the studio.

The backmatter includes a helpful index (if you are looking for a specific reference) and a list of the top 50 notable albums recorded there. The book is sprinkled with photos and artifacts of the history of Abbey road from internal correspondence, to blue prints, to candid performer photos in some of the studios.

[RONALD MELCHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Anglophile, audiophile and unapologetic Beatles nerd, there was slim chance David Hepworth's book would be anything less than a hit with me - and it certainly delivered. This history of London's famous Abbey Road Studio was an enjoyable read, well researched and insightfully written by a talented music journalist.

While the Beatles play the major role in this detailed history (Sir Paul actually wrote the book's foreward) there are stories from an eclectic collection of other artists. A short list includes Pablo Casals, Fats Waller, Noel Coward, Glen Miller, Cliff Richard and the Shadows, the Hollies, the Zombies, Pink Floyd, Peter Sellers, Tony Bennet, Burt Bacharach, John Williams, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Kanye West and Lady Gaga. Just naming a few!

While the main interest in this book is the arc of the impressive 90 year history of Abbey Road, I'd also recommend it to those interested in the histories of popular music, pop culture, the music business and music recording including all of its technical aspects.

Lastly, a large part of the charm of reading Abbey Road is that it's clearly written for an English audience. This made it a somewhat exotic experience for me, as an American, to read. Many of the artists and locations that are referenced, and even figures of speech, would be known to the British reader , but for me these led to interesting educational Google searches. I welcomed these sidebars and found it only appropriate to "hear" the inside story of Abbey Road in Hepworth's very British voice.

[Rich B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joyful musical history as seen through the lens of the world-famous Abbey Road studios. Apart from the odd time the writing strayed into pretentious music journo mode (especially towards the end), everything else about this was great and enjoyed it a lot.

It’s well-researched, full of colourful, fun and interesting anecdotes and trivia. It zips along with lots of love and affection for the craft and creativity of making music in a studio.

We get lots of insights into the technology and science of recording music and the affection given to the studio’s engineers as the unsung heroes of the music world is heart-warming.

Then you get a parade of music performer giants. From Sir Edward Elgar to Lady Gaga and just about every music heavyweight in the process. The Beatles and Pink Floyd get the most prominence, but it also covers the many other genres and roles the studio covers - classical, film scores, mastering etc, all feature heavily.

There are plenty of funny and engaging stories about what goes on in the studio. It also has some great insights and commentary on the cultural changes that regularly revolutionise the music business e.g. gramophones and vinyl, CDs, streaming and the demise of EMI etc.

Anyone into music will get a lot out of this, a great read.

[Terje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abbey Road, det legendariske platestudioet i London hvor musikalsk magi har blitt skapt siden 1931. Aller mest kjent for platene The Beatles spilte inn der, ikke minst fordi det siste bandet spilte inn i studioet fikk navnet Abbey Road. Og fotgjengerfeltet i gaten utenfor ble ikonisk på grunn av platecoveret.

Jeg blir aldri lei av å lytte til eller lese om The Beatles, men David Hepworth sin bok er suveren fordi den rommer så mye mer. Den rommer hele historien fra 1931, om artistene jeg aldri har hørt om. Artur Schnabel, som spilte inn alle Beethovens 32 pianosonater gjennom 1930-tallet. Jacqueline du Pré, en usedvanlig begavet cellist som døde av multippel sklerose i en alder av 42 år. Og et utall andre artister som har gitt meg en trang til et dypdykk på Spotify.

Foruten musikken, får vi også skildringer av den teknologiske utviklingen. Om utfasingen av 78-platene, om båndbredde, om digitaliseringen og om nedlasting. Vi får skildringer av hvordan studioet skjøttet forretningene og orienterte seg mot profitthensyn.

David Hepworth skriver som vanlig med stort hjerte for musikken og menneskene, med gripende formuleringer og mange tiår med innsikt i populærmusikkens vesen.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Beatles fan, Abbey Road has always been a place that has been known and loved although I have never been there. When I saw this book I thought that it may be heavily leaning towards the story of the Beatles recording sessions with some background. Boy, was I wrong. This is an excellent book that covers the full history of the Abbey Road studios from its early days before the war through to today. There are many books out there that go into detail about the Beatles recording sessions, but this is more about the people who worked at the studios over the years and the innovations that were made, how it survived the decline in recording studios and the many other great artists who recorded there over the nearly 100 years of its existence. The research is incredible, and the writing style is free flowing and keeps the reader engaged. Yes, the Beatles are mentioned (How could they not be) but if you want the details of the Beatles sessions alone this is not the book for you. But if you want a well-researched informative story of the most well-known recording studio in the world then read this.

[Under Milkwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

How could this not be totally engrossing. It's the chronological history of a recording studio that everybody born in the last century is familiar with. Most importantly our tour guide is David Hepworth who in my opinion is the greatest living writer on contemporary music. Err, maybe that's a big call.
Nonetheless this is a fascinating account of the myriad characters who have worked within the hallowed halls of this famous studio from the 1930's to the present day. Sir Edward Elgar, Al Bowlly, Cliff Richard, Shirley Bassey, Pink Floyd, Oasis and some unknown Northern Band called the Beatles. We get first hand accounts from engineers and producers to band members and just enough technical information. There's also a detailed history of the machinations of classical music recordings under the helm of renowned conductors back in the early days.
Highly recommended for anybody with an interest in the musical recording process and indeed anybody who has had the need to 'cross that bloody road with three mates'.

[Byron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just about everything that David Hepworth sublimely documents happening at Abbey Road, the studio, serves as a fabulous historical template with implications and lessons far beyond the music business. Indeed, a comparable metamorphosis over the past seven to eight decades can be found in almost every other industry. Hepworth uses sound recording and one legendary studio as a palette to capture this arc of systemic change, how it impacts everyone along the chain in different ways, and explored all of its attendant pluses and minuses, depending on your perspective. What makes this book such a riveting, illuminating read is that he writes about artistic talent, music and songs, embedded in our collective memories, with great knowledge, intelligence and insight. This book is a pleasure to read, regardless of what you do for a living or your age. It you're a fan of music, so much the better. You will come away dazzled by all of the dots Hepworth connects behind the scenes here, in what in many ways is the soundtrack of our lives.

[Steve Cann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love reading David's books, and this was def one of the best.
He does a really meticulous job of here of charting the history of the world-famous studios, and it makes for a fascinating read.

You also find that you get a potted history of recorded music itself - the progress of which was swift during the 20th century and revolutionized the way we listened to and purchased music, as well as the singers, musicians and studio technicians who made it all possible.

The amazing piece of luck of The Beatles being picked up by George Martin after a modest audition is of course the stuff of legends, and this would of course cement not only the studio's place in history, but we see a seismic shift in the relationship between artists and producers, and introduce experimentation and depth into pop music the like of which had never been seen before.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story, and learnt so many new things from this book.
Definitely a must for all musicologists!

[Nigel Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely brief history of the studio and technicians of Abbey Road Studios, made eternally famous by the Beatles.

Hepworth writes with love and enthusiasm covering the original of the Studio at the dawn of recorded sound up to the immediate post Covid period. All types of music are covered as fitting for the studio, but its hard to avoid the dominance of two giant records that were recorded here: The Beatle’s Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.

For me, the main and most interesting point to taker from the narrative is that the music that we have listened to and loved was the product of a combination of the artists themselves who supplied the vision of what they wanted to achieve, and the technicians and producers, without whom the sounds that we hear could not have been made reality. Hepworth quite rightly brings those people into the spotlight and deservedly so.

Joyful.

[Ralphz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abbey Road is more than the Beatles, and this book is a great look at the deep history of the most famous, and important, studio in the world.

This is a chronological look at the studio, from its establishment in the 1930s to its current tenure as a tourist site. In between, great symphonic music and rock music was made there, and technology was created there too.

It's a treasure trove of memories and experiences, from the aforementioned Beatles to the Hollies to Pink Floyd, great opera artists to John Williams recording for Star Wars.

One thing that bugs me is the way the studio is referred to constantly in the first three-quarters of the book as Abbey Road Studios, when up until 1976 it was called EMI Recording Studios. A little accuracy would be nice. (The Book finally addresses this when it gets there, but why couldn't that be said earlier?)

Another is that the photos that introduce each chapter run across two pages and so sometimes obscure people and things in the dead middle of the frame, such as Graham Nash of the Hollies. Wish they'd thought that out.

[Vincent Coole · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone, like myself, who has been endlessly fascinated by the great studio, this is probably its best ‘biography’ out there. Hepworth brings alive the romanticism of Abbey Road without becoming saccharine, and follows the trends and developments of its 90 year history. Those interested in the more technical details might be left disappointed, but that’s not to say Hepworth doesn’t tackle these (particularly in the earlier chapters). He is, at heart, a pop writer so his coverage steers towards accounts of recording artists, classical and popular. My only minor complaint was that was very little context provided as to what other studios where doing, particularly in the 30s and 40s. Hepworth’s writing is often elegant and more zingy than his cheery nature would lead you think, and the chapters and book as a whole keep a steady focus throughout.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book, I am a huge fan of the studios and all of its history .. especially around the 1960’s with 4 lads from Liverpool.

Always intrigued when one landmark can pull in greatness from all corners of the world, this book captures everything from the artists themselves to the engineers and the groundbreaking discoveries.

Being lucky enough to enter Abbey Road it was strange to hear stories about the rooms and studios I have entered.

One thing that spoiled this book for me … The documentary on Disney+ named “If these walls could talk” is basically a documentary adaptation of this book .. in the sense of its the same stories and musical milestones. I did learn some extras from this book (as apposed to the doc) but nothing special.

I think if you’re going to do both read the book first before watching the documentary :)

[Marvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Abbey Road NW8 - The Inside Story of the World's Most Famous Recording Studio" by @DavidHepworth provides a comprehensive account into the rich history of the world-renowned recording studio. It offers insights not only from a technical point of view but also from the perspective of its legendary recordings.

From film scores for 'Star Wars' and 'Harry Potter,' to jazz legend Shirley Bassey, and Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of the Moon, ' the studio has been home to seminal recordings. But 90 years in, it is revered because of one band. Hepworth: "Thanks to four young millionaires who couldn't be bothered to do anything more than to step onto a zebra crossing..." 

Hepworth's book is an excellent choice for music enthusiasts who want to delve into the fascinating history and magic that was produced within the walls of the world-renowned recording studio that is a part of British culture.
 

[Mike Sennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging account of the legendary London recording studio. It was established in 1931, long before the Beatles recorded there, and has managed to survive the many years since the Beatles' heyday, adapting to enormous changes in both the business and technology of music. But the author makes an argument that the studio might have closed like many others in London if not for the association with the Beatles and, of course, the famous photograph of the Beatles crossing the street at the corner near the studio. As a music fan, I enjoyed reading the stories of the musicians (later considered "artists"), engineers, producers and businessmen who worked in and ran the studio over the years. The author covers all of it with a light touch and occasional dry wit. I just wish I had read this book before visiting London (and, of course, the Abbey Road zebra crossing) last fall!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Hepworth has developed a very distinctive style of writing, honed over years of writing music reviews and articles. It's very recognisable, but doesn't lend itself so well to fact-based subjects, and as a result this doesn't come across as a definitive history of the famous studios. Maybe that wasn't the intention. What we do get is essentially a series of snapshots, arranged chronologically across the decades, each written to about the length of a magazine article (clearly the length he is most comfortable with - see most of his previous books), all containing lovely little snippets of details and a certain amount of opinion. As we get closer to the present day, there's more opinion, with a definite undercurrent of nostalgia, which perhaps is understandable, and anyway never veers too close to grumpy old man territory. Overall, as easily readable and entertaining as always, but perhaps feeling a little more disposable than expected.

[Madeline Piper · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf the dark side of the moon.

Syd Barrett took a break because he wasn't feeling well. He later 'disqualified' himself from the band, leaving his dear friends, Gilmore and Waters, to take the reins in the writing and creating of Pink Floyd.

After accidentally taking Acid, Paul McCartney never came into record on acid again. He had thought he was taking an acetaminophen.

All the technicians were essentially nerds who didn't even know how to do a good practical joke on their rival studio.

------

Fini! Once I got past the idea of Syd Bennett's health horribly portrayed and the idea that Hepworth thinks they were all "just pretending" to be high... It's an interesting and decently enough written book. Like most NF it does drag a bit - specifically in the in the technical aspects of recording for this book - but these slower sections are an easy and quick fly-by and carry on.

[Brian Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and interesting history of Abbey Road and the recording of artists well before the Beatles in the 60s. DH explains how records were made, the development of recordings and many of the artists involved . One key advancement was the use of tapes - apparently the Germans were much further advanced than the Allies by the end of WW2 so their knowledge was put to good use. 2 main drawbacks with book - DH does go into a lot of ( probably too much) detail of the different technologies ( although it does mean the information is in one place ) and his writing can be a bit tortuous , Having said that I found it a very good read.

[Bruce Raterink · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well researched history of Abbey Road recording studio. The author does an exceptional job of balancing the technological advances the studio made during its 90+ year history with an overview of the key artists artists who used the studio, and ensuing changes in the recording and mastering processes. Non-fiction books are rarely page turners but I found this book fascinating and it kept my interest throughout. I was appreciative of the playlist at the end of the book that provided key recordings made at a Abbey Road. I was able to listen to several of these cuts via YouTube. Highly recommended

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Does not focus too much on The Beatles, and the author shines the light on artists of other genres that the studio catered to, particularly before pop and rock music. The book also gets more technical aspects of studio work and the responsibilities of engineers, assistants, tape operators and cutters, etc. Tons of artists have recorded there but the book does not get bogged down in telling all of those stories.

Quite funny how behind England was in recording techniques and technology. If Germany had won the war, they'd still be pressing 78s.

Knocked it a bit because the author is a male Baby Boomer, who is ethically required to let you know about the good ol' daze.

[Jonny Brick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superlative chronicle of a studio that is not just the most famous, but the last one standing. From Elgar to McCartney to Floyd to Gallagher, via Ken Dodd, Jacqueline Du Pre and Steve Harley, to the modern era. I still don't enjoy Hepworth's overuse of anaphora ('Suddenly...suddenly') but I will forgive him because he's from Yorkshire. Sometimes reads like a coffee table book, but mostly like his other five books on rock'n'roll; for context, it's better than the 1971 one but not as good as his ones on rock stars or the LP record. Can he do a memoir next??

[Neil Fulwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This lightweight overview of the world’s most famous recording studio boasts an accessible prose style, a cluster of fascinating archive photographs and any number of quirky and entertaining facts and anecdotes. What lets it down is Hepworth’s inverted snobbery when it comes to the classical musicians who recorded there, and his tendency to- particularly marked in the closing chapters - to repeat himself. Still, I now know that the guy who produced Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ was the same guy who produced the Pinky & Perky records, and that alone justifies the cover price.

[Jason Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating history of Abbey Road from 1931 when it was constructed in the gardens of a suburban Georgian villa. These studios still exist and this book covers all the great bands and albums made there but also deals with the challenges along the way and the studios reinvention in the 21st century to embrace the modern Digital age and todays music. Anyone who has ever wondered how a record was made should read this.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

David skillfully captured the profound impact that Abbey Road had historically on the musical landscape over the decades, blending facts with humor and reverence. I love how Rock ‘N’ Roll threw everyone for a loop, a genre where “accidents tended to be embraced, not erased.”

This joyful read offers a time-traveling experience, shedding light on the rapid evolution of our listening habits, the enduring impact of certain bands, and the pivotal role played by a studio that housed it all.