*”London’s Lost Recoding Studios-Pt4″ – “Morgan Sound Studios” – Willesden London NW2

Regular followers of my London Shoes stuff will already be aware of my love of all things music relating to London – and in particular my interest in ‘Lost’ music venues and recoding studios – locations that were once prominent landmarks on the London music scene, but today, those that are still standing, are generally buildings living a completely different life.

This posting is Part 4 of the London Shoes category “London’s Lost Recording Studios” – and takes a look back at the history of the once legendary “MORGAN SOUND STUDIO”

The “Morgan Sound Studios” was an independant recording studio that was based in Willesden-London NW2.

A premises at 169/171 High Road Willesden was bought and converted into a recording studio that opened for business in 1967.

Between the years 1967 right through to the 1980’s some of the greatest and most influential music this country has ever produced, was recorded at the Morgan Studio site.

Some of the greatest and most in-demand record producers and engineers cut their teeth at Morgan Sound – Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin/Rolling Stones) and Roy Thomas Baker (Queen / Santana / Rolling Stones) probably the 2 most famous.

In 1969, the studio had become so successful and in demand – and second studio was built upstair at the Willesden High Road site.

At that time the studio ‘house/session’ band consisted of Roger Coulan (keyboards) / Herbie Flowers (bass) / Alan Parker (guitar)  – who then linked up with singers Roger Cook and Madelline Bell to form the popuar and successful group ‘Blue Mink’.

By 1972 a 3rd studio had been set up in a building across the road – and in 1974 a 4th studio had been built in a property in Chaplin Road – a turning just over the road from the main Morgan Sound Studio.

As mentioned earlier, some of the Britain’s greatest and most influential music was recorded at Morgan Sound – and I guarantee that a number of folk, especially those around my age (ie coming up to 70) – would have had, or probably still have, some of the following albums in their record (or CD) collections, and probably still regularly play them.

Morgan Sound Studio – Albums (a selection)

* Led Zeppilin II – (1969) / Stand Up – Jethro Tull (1969) / Tons of Sobs – Free (1969) / Supertramp – (1969) / McCartney – Paul McCartney – (1970)

Gasoline Alley – Rod Stewart (1970) / Tea for the Tillerman – Cat Stevens (1970) / Every Picture Tells a Story – Rod Stewart (1971) / Long Player – The Faces (1971)

Madman Across the Water – Elton John (1971) / Muswell Hillbillies – The Kinks (1971) / Teaser and the Firecat – Cat Stevens (1971) / Benefit – Jethro Tull (1971)

Catch Bull at Four – Cat Stevens (1972) / Lou Reed – Lou Reed (1972) / Never a Dull Moment – Rod Stewart (1972) / Tales from Topographic Oceans – Yes (1973)

Billion Dollar Babies – Alice Cooper (1973) / Sabbath Bloody Sabbath – Black Sabbath (1973) / Berlin – Lou Reed (1973) / The Psychomodo – Cockney Rebel (1974)

Smiler – Rod Stewart (1974) / Sabbotage – Black Sabbath (1975) / Songs from the Wood – Jethro Tull (1977) / Squeeze – Squueeze (1978) /

Renegade – Thin Lizzy (1981) / Iron Fist – Motorhead (1982)…………..and these are just a selection of the more well known albums cut at Morgan Sound Studio.

It wasnt just classic albums that were recorded at the Studio – some all time classic Singles were also recorded there – for example:-

Morgan Sound Studio – Singles (a selection)

*Pinball Wizard – The Who (1969) / Lola – The Kinks (1970) / Woodstock – Matthew Southern Comfort (1970) / Anticipation – Carly Simon (1971)

Hi Hi Hi (that was banned) & C Moon – Wings (1972) / Step into Christmas – Elton John (1973) / American Tune – Paul Simon (1974) / News of the World – The Jam (1978) / C30 C60 C90 Go – Bow Wow Wow (1978) / Making your Mind Up – Bucks Fizz (1979)…..plus many more.

As time and technology moved on, the individual Morgan Sound Studios in Willesden were gradually sold off to other recording companies – which themselves, eventually closed down and as a result the studio premises sold off.

Today – this legendary recording studio is now an outlet of the cometic/toiletries chain ‘SAVERS’ – and like all such ‘lost’ music related locations my London Shoes visit, I just wonder if the good people of Willisden shopping at Savers for their shampoo / face cream / deodorant / cheap perfume and aftershaves – have any idea of the importance of what went on inside the building, when they walk through its front door and wander up and down the aisles inside – I doubt it.

For me – when visiting places like the former Morgan Sound Studio building, I always feel like I’m standing on the shoulder of giants when I think of all the music legends that were once inside the building, creating and recording the music that basically became part of the soundtrack of my life – it just pleases me that, via my London Shoes, I can capture the back story and history of such locations that had such an influence on music, not just in Britain but also globally – and an influence on me.

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So -having pounded the pavements of Willesden NW2 tracking down and photographing the building that was once the legendary ‘Morgan Sound  Studio’ – I was in need of a little liquid refreshment before setting off back home – I stumbled upon an unusual little pub/bar called “Angie’s Bar”

In 1992 a former retail shop located in Walm Lane, close to Willesden Green tube station, was converted into a pub and opened as “Angie’s III”, part of a very small chain of ‘Angies’ Irish bars opened across London. In May 2021 following extensive renovation work, the pub reopened as just “Angie’s Bar”

Angie’s Bar is described as being a traditional Irish pub with several large TVs screens situated throughout the bar, that screen most of the major sporting events. Apparently, this particular Angie’s pub does not serve real ale – but it IS renowned for it’s Guinness – an ideal place for my Shoes to rest up and have a couple of ‘cheeky’ ones before heading off  back home.

Anyway – I love doing these then & now retrospective stuff and I hope you enjoyed my little London Shoes story about the legendary Morgan Sound Studio where so many all time classics were created and recorded – I certainly enjoyed putting it together.

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Below is the entire gallery of photos taken and images downloaded to accompany this London Shoes blog