The Record Plant is giving tours to the public this weekend

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http://www.marinij.com/ci_6771431?source=most_emailed

Tour into rock history
Paul Liberatore
Marin Independent Journal
Article Launched:08/31/2007 12:19:49 PM PDT

For the first time since it celebrated its 1972 opening with a Halloween party attended by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who came dressed as trees, the historic Plant Recording Studio in Sausalito opens its hippie-era wooden doors to the public this weekend.
Visitors will be able to see the studios where some of the classic albums in rock were recorded: Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours," Santana's "Supernatural," Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life," "Sports" by Huey Lewis and the News and the Grateful Dead's "Wake of the Flood," to name a few.

Rock star photos from a new book, "The Sixties," by Robert Altman, once chief photographer for Rolling Stone, will also be on display during tours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, Altman will be on hand to sign copies of "The Sixties."

The studios will display many of the gold and platinum albums recorded at the Plant as well as a trove of rock memorabilia, including vintage guitars once played by Eric Clapton and Ronnie Montrose.

Most of the Plant's major hits were recorded in studios A and B. Among musicians, Studio B is famous for its psychedelic clouds on the ceiling and the pop-art fabric on its walls.

"Studio B hasn't been changed since it was built in 1972," says Michael Indelicato, owner of the Plant. "That's where Bob Marley did his first American recording. Peter Frampton did a radio show there that telegraphed his 'Frampton Comes Alive' album. Stevie Wonder recorded 'Songs in the Key of Life' and the Grateful Dead recorded 'Wake of the Flood' in Studio B. It's loaded with rock history."

Studio A is more of a hard-rock space. Metallica recorded five albums in it, literally raising the roof to give it a heavier drum sound.

"Dave Matthews did most of his work in studio A," Indelicato says. "Huey Lewis recorded 'Sports' there, and Joe Satriani worked in Studio A for a long time. A huge amount of famous records came out of this studio."

Sly Stone actually lived for a time in the Plant's Garden Studio, which has been redesigned by its chief engineer, Arne Frager, a former owner of the Plant.

Frager's late wife, Rose, painted a nighttime scene of Marin in the studio's isolation booth. The room includes a window, rare for a recording studio, that overlooks an outdoor garden, hence its name.

During a special event from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, a screening of footage from an upcoming documentary, "Guitar Man," is planned, and five songs from the film's soundtrack will be played. The film's director, Eric Fournier, will answer questions, as will the soundtrack producers, Narada Michael Walden, Jerry Harrison and Davy Vain. The documentary follows Indelicato in his business as a vintage guitar collector and dealer.

The Plant (originally called the Record Plant) occupies an unmarked, redwood-sheathed building at 2200 Bridgeway, adjacent to this weekend's Sausalito Art Festival.

The open house is a prelude to the Plant's 35th anniversary in October and the launching of the Bridgeway Music Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to preserving the Bay Area music scene, among other projects

As recording technology presents challenges to traditional recording studios, the Plant is one of the last studios left from the golden era of Bay Area rock.

"We're trying to keep the Plant as a hub of music activity in the Bay Area," Indelicato says. "Four of the major studios in Bay Area have all closed or are closing. Recording studios are going to be gone, but the Plant is something we want to preserve."

IF YOU GO

- What: Plant Recording Studio's ongoing tours of studio, music memorabilia and Robert Altman's photos from his book, "The Sixties"

- When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1 and 2; 3 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, exclusive tour plus party with photographer Robert Altman, chef Anton Perkins, director Eric Founier and music producers Narada Michael Walden, Jerry Harrison and Davy Vain

- Where: The Plant Recording Studios, 2200 Bridgeway, Sausalito

- Tickets: $10; $99 for exclusive tour and party

- Information: 332-1600 or www.bridgewaymusicfoundation.com

Paul Liberatore can be reached at [email protected].