The Birthplace of EMI


The Birthplace of EMI

The birthplace of Britains music industry.

Location: 31 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, WC2E 7JS

Description: Maiden Lane Recording Studios - the basement studio here was the UK's first recording studio - and was opened in 1898 by The Gramophone Company.

Engineer Fred Gaisberg made some important pioneering early recordings here. Indeed, opera singers and music hall artists (the pop stars of the Victorian era) were recorded for the mass enjoyment of the whole nation. The studio used incredibly primitive technology including a long trumpet-shaped horn Amy Williams on the piano - she was the Recording Department secretary and also accompanied the vocalists.

The company was run by a handful of early recording pioneers with big dreams and limited resources. In 1931, the Gramophone Company changed its name to EMI and opened a new extraordinarily successful studio at Abbey Road. EMI became a global giant, with acts from Pink Floyd to The Beach Boys, David Bowie, Janet Jackson and Kylie Minogue.

A green plaque from Westminster Council was unveiled here by Roger Taylor from Queen on Wednesday 4th December 2019.

Themes: MusicMusic Theme
The Birthplace of EMI

The birthplace of Britains music industry.

Ranking This Month: 2676/3082

Pages Hit This Month: 42


Your Comments:

Name:
Email:
Your email will ONLY be used once, to confirm the publication of your comments. We value your contribution and privacy.

Anti-spam Security: Please enter this code:


Other places nearby:


Elton John lived here», 13.km

Guildhall School of Music», 1.4km

Studio 51 and the Stones», 0.2km

Suzi Rocked in Marriage Here», 13.km

John and Yoko's Nude Scene», 1.6km

Dingwalls», 2.3km

Peter Green\'s Home», 3.0km

Elton John worked here», 0.4km

Beatles final gig», 0.7km

Squeeze in Deptford», 5.3km

Location Pinpointed:


Open Street Maps», Google Maps»