Muscle Shoals Sound Studio at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield, Alabama, was formed in 1969 by four session musicians called The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (affectionately called The Swampers), who had left Rick Hall‘s nearby FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals to create their own recording facility. The group closed the Jackson Highway studio in 1979, moving the operation to 1000 Alabama Avenue. The old studio has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since June 2006. It was partly restored in the early 2000’s and was sold to the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation in 2013.
Over the years, artists who recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio included The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Cocker, Levon Helm, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, and Cat Stevens. Cher’s sixth album was titled 3614 Jackson Highway (1969) and this became the informal name for the studio in 1969.
Checking out the piano that Paul Simon played on Kodachrome and looking into the small bathroom where Keith Richards put the finishing touches on Wild Horses were a special treat.
We spent our last afternoon exploring the trail along the bank of the Tennessee River with Rusty and Mary-Eileen. As part of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Muscle Shoals Reservation, the area is recognized for its wilderness trails. One short trail began at the Old Railroad Bridge and continued to the foot of the Wilson Dam.
After our walk we adjourned to the Swampers Bar & Grill at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & SPA for Happy Hour. Will and Janet McFarlane were there to entertain us once again.
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