The Fascinating Tale of Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studio

Eddie Kramer knows it sounds a bit out there, but whenever he’s asked about the magic of Electric Lady, the recording studio Jimi Hendrix commissioned him to build in 1968, he always gives the same reply: “It’s the vibes. Any time I walk in here, I feel them,” he says, sitting inside the studio’s control room. “It’s in the walls. It’s in the hallway. The spirit of Jimi is everywhere.”

“If you want to believe it’s the vibes, fine,” adds John Storyk, the architect who designed the studio. “But there’s more to it. There’s also science involved.”

Add to that elements of luck, chaos, and vision, and you get an alchemy that continues to draw top-tier artists like Taylor Swift, Adele, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga. The rich history of the studio’s creation and its influence on sound and design trends are explored in the new documentary, Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision.

The film, currently in theaters, will also be part of a forthcoming box set that features 38 previously unreleased tracks Hendrix recorded between June and August 1970. This timeline debunks the myth that Hendrix only used the studio for 10 weeks before his death. In reality, he started recording there almost four months before he passed, aiming to perfect songs for a new double album. The frantic pace at which Hendrix worked hints at the reason for the studio’s creation.

In early 1969, Hendrix was riding high with his double album, Electric Ladyland, a No. 1 hit. This success fueled his desire to create new music continuously. “Jimi was jamming in New York at any studio he could find,” said Kramer, Hendrix’s engineer from his 1967 debut, Are You Experienced. “He loved creating new sounds. He could barely breathe, he was in such a hurry to get it all out. And thank God he did, because what he created then was the basis for all the music we were going to do next.”

Hendrix’s creative energy wasn’t confined to recording studios. He was also constantly jamming with other musicians, searching for inspiration. To centralize these sessions, he decided to open his own club where he could play whenever he wanted. He chose a former club called the Generation on W 8th Street, where he had previously jammed with stars like BB King and Sly Stone.

To ensure the space matched his vision, Hendrix hired John Storyk, a 22-year-old recent architecture graduate, to design it. Initially, the plan was for a club, but after consulting with Kramer, it shifted to a recording studio. Kramer convinced Hendrix and his manager that a studio would be a more practical investment. “Jimi was spending over $200,000 a year in studio time,” Kramer said. “I said, ‘Let’s build you the best studio in the world, where you would not be disturbed, a place where you could feel at home.’”

While Kramer oversaw the audio aspects, Storyk was tasked with the design, which proved more challenging than anticipated. “Everything we know now about studios didn’t exist back then,” Storyk said. “There was no manual to follow.” Studios of the time were bland, boxy rooms, uninspiring to musicians. Electric Lady would be a warm, inviting space, filled with soft curves and vibrant colors. Hendrix wanted the ability to project a rainbow of colors onto the walls, which even had audio functions. For example, when Hendrix asked for “green,” Kramer knew it meant more reverb; “red” signified more distortion.

The room’s shape, especially the ceiling, played a crucial role in creating Electric Lady’s distinct sound. Located beneath a movie theater with a sloped floor, the ceiling also sloped. Storyk designed a “flying saucer” shape for the ceiling, which he later realized was a low-frequency membrane absorber, giving the room its unique audio qualities.

Building the studio was not without its challenges, including major flooding due to an old water table beneath the floor. Construction took twice as long as expected and cost $1 million (equivalent to $8.6 million today). Despite these obstacles, the studio became a haven for Hendrix, who was thrilled to finally have a dedicated space.

Some of the fruits of his labor can be heard on the upcoming box set, which includes studio banter that captures the creative process. Kramer highlighted one track, Drifting, as particularly beautiful. Hendrix was especially enthusiastic about his band’s new lineup, which included drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Billy Cox.

The studio’s official opening party took place on August 26, 1970. Shortly after, Hendrix flew to London for the Isle of Wight festival. A few weeks later, he was gone. When news of Hendrix’s death reached the studio, Kramer broke down but knew the studio had to go on.

Over the years, Electric Lady hosted sessions for countless legendary artists, from Stevie Wonder to Led Zeppelin. Though it faced financial struggles, Kramer and Storyk praised the current management for preserving its legacy. Despite changes and renovations, the spirit and sound of Electric Lady remain. “I get chills whenever I walk in here,” Kramer said. “To me, this will always be home.”

Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision is now playing in cinemas in various cities in the US and UK. It will also be released on October 4 as part of a box set and will begin streaming on Sky TV in the UK that month.

Source: The Guardian, Particle News