Abbey Road Studios were set up in a nice large house in 1931 by the Gramophone Company who later became EMI. The location was selected as it is close to the big concert halls but in a quiet area, at least it was until the traffic in London increased. To celebrate their 90th birthday they have opened their doors to sightseers for a week.
The cynics might say they had a week without bookings so opened it up to old people like me who are happy to part with £100 to visit this iconic part of our heritage. Surprisingly it only costs £3,000 a day to hire the main studio (the big one used for orchestras) so it is probably more profitable having visitors. It was a very interesting visit, all the guides were the engineers who work there so they are showing people round their office and were keen to make a good impression.
They showed many of the pianos, organs etc which have been used in the studio as well as some amazing "home made" equipment. Whilst of course most recording is done digitally they still have 24 track tape machines from the 80's which are still used if the artist wants an analogue recording.
I sang the Hippopotamus song in one of the individual booths listening back through the headphones in honour of Flanders and Swan who recorded it here.
Gill was not interested in the tour which saved some money, perhaps it is a male thing, I noticed there were not many women on the tour.