Muscle Shoals Sound Studios

For myself, this was a major item on my bucket list! To stand in the room where so many greats recorded their music. Songs I listened to getting ready for elementary school, songs I listened to riding around in my car as a teenager, and songs I listen to now on my stereo! Look up the artists that recorded there. You'll be amazed. Thanks to the staff and our entertaining, knowledgeable, and personable tour guide! I highly recommend the tour!

If you’re a true believer in the power of rock ‘n’ roll, then Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is more than just a stop on the map — it’s sacred ground. Walking through those hallowed walls at 3614 Jackson Highway is like stepping into the soul of American music. You can feel the ghosts of rock royalty in the air — from the Stones to Skynyrd, from Aretha to Dylan — every inch of that place hums with mojo. Our guide, Terrell, was nothing short of incredible. The man knows his stuff inside and out, but more than that, he feels it. You could hear the passion in his voice as he spun stories of sessions that changed the course of music history. He didn’t just recite facts — he preached the gospel of Muscle Shoals. With every anecdote and behind-the-scenes story, Terrell brought the past roaring back to life. As I stood in that studio where legends laid down tracks, I couldn’t help but hear the echo of Skynyrd’s guitars ringing through the air — “Turn it up,” I whispered, and grinned like a kid in a candy store. I swear I heard a little “Sweet Home Alabama” drift through the control room, and I almost broke into the chorus then and there. If you’re into southern rock, soul, blues, or just the raw, gritty heart of American music, Muscle Shoals is a must. It’s where the “swampers” played, where “wild horses” were tamed, and where “a simple man” could make musical magic. Bottom line: Muscle Shoals Sound Studio isn’t just a museum — it’s a living monument to the sound that shaped generations. Go, stand on the same floor where the Stones cut “Brown Sugar,” and let Terrell take you there. It’s more than a tour — it’s a spiritual experience.

Probably one of the most influential recording studios for Motown, and Southern Rock. It’s like walking into a time capsule straight into the 1970’s. The decor is all there, even the heavy glass ashtrays… Honored to see and touch the piano that is on nearly every Bob Seger tune, including the iconic intro to Old Time Rock and Roll and countless other albums over the years. To see the Swampers’ actual gear on display, and be in the room where hundreds of hit songs were recorded was a very inspiring experience…

Iconic recording studios. Great guided tour. If you are in the area it's well worth stopping. Hourly tours. Our guide was very knowledgeable.

What a wonderful place to visit! So rich in musical history. Imagine standing in the studio where Keith Richards wrote Wild Horses in under an hour in the bathroom of all places! So many musical greats have recorded albums here with the Swampers providing the rhythm section. The building is so small and unassuming but if the walls could only speak! Shout out to the tour guide with amazing stories and great energy. If you love music this is a tour you just shouldn't miss.

If you are into late '60s and '70s Rock, this is the place to visit. Stones, Traffic, Seger all recorded here. My tour guide Chase was a wealth of knowledge and super friendly. Iconic place in Rock history

Had a great experience on our tour on 8/28/24 at 1:30pm. Our tour guide did a wonderful job of explaining the importance of the studio in music history. It is definitely a must see if you’re a fan of music!

Incredible. So much fun for anyone who loves music from the 60s and 70s. The tour is filled with information about the studio's history and all the wonderful artists who played there. One of the brightest memories from our recent trip down the Natchez Trace Parkway. Highly highly recommend!!!

To quote Ronnie Van Zandt singing in "Sweet Home Alabama": Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes, they do) Lord, they get me off so much They pick me up when I'm feelin' blue, now, how 'bout you? There is much written about The Swampers (officially the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section), so won't repeat it hear other than to say: 1. They created a unique mix of R&B, soul, and country music that helped many songs become great hits 2. In 1969 they left Rick Hall and FAME Studios where they started and formed their own music studio 3. They attracted musicians/groups such Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Lynard Skynyrd, Wilson Pickett, and many others to their sound studio because of their talent and somewhat unique sound This is the historic music studio. It is now owned by a non-profit and the studio has been recreated in its original building with some of the original equipment and other equipment similar to what was originally there. It is also an active studio for musicians who want a more analog recording experience. So it is basically a working museum. So come and do the tour, see where Mick sang and Keith played, where Aretha crooned, and Cher hung out with Sonny for a week. We detoured to Muscle Shoals when driving from Birmingham to Nashville. It is a detour worth taking and it is a nice drive through the countryside and small towns vs the main highway. If you go, you can also visit FAME - the studio that first put Muscle Shoals on the map. It is a very active studio with updated equipment.

The Rolling Stones recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, during their 1969 American tour. The studio, known for its unique sound and vibe, attracted numerous artists from various genres, and The Rolling Stones were no exception. In December 1969, The Rolling Stones arrived at the studio to work on their album "Sticky Fingers." The band was drawn to Muscle Shoals Sound Studio because of its reputation for producing soulful and authentic recordings. The studio was equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and had a distinct sound that many artists sought. During their time at Muscle Shoals, The Rolling Stones recorded several songs, including "Brown Sugar," "Wild Horses," and "You Gotta Move." The sessions were highly productive, and the band embraced the studio's unique atmosphere. They were inspired by the studio's soul and blues heritage, which influenced their music and added a new dimension to their sound. The Rolling Stones' experience at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio left a lasting impact on their music. The recordings made there would go on to become some of the band's most iconic and beloved songs. The collaboration between The Rolling Stones and the studio resulted in a fusion of rock, soul, and blues that helped shape their sound during that period. Overall, The Rolling Stones' decision to record at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 1969 was a pivotal moment in their career. The experience allowed them to experiment with new sounds and genres, contributing to the evolution of their music and solidifying their status as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. This was a fantastic tour and if you're a music lover I would highly recommend visiting. Definitely worth it and Alabama is beautiful. The nearby town of Florence it's also a very nice place to visit..

Shawn is a wonderful hairdresser. She's very professional and always knows what to do with my hair. Thank you Shawn!!!

Lovely tour ! I came here today and had a wonderful experience with the tourguide who is a fellow UNA alum that is a sound engineer and very knowledgeable of the history on Muscle Sounds Studios. Very fun tshirts for sale as well.

This place is definitely worth going and seeing it's a lot of history to it look up muscle shoals on television and watch the documentary. it will set the stage for what you're in for. We wrote our bikes down matches trace out of Tennessee. Great bike ride worth the trip when you got there.

The sounds of your childhood can be found here at the nondescript but unforgettable Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. The Rolling Stones "Brown Sugar." Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll," Paul Simon's "Kodachrome," and "Free Bird" were recorded here on the same piano. The Stones wrote "Wild Horses" here. If you remember the 70's, you can't miss this destination!

This is a nice tour of a recording studio rich in history. It's a non-profit and one of approx. 14 in the region. The coolest part for me was the speakeasy in the basement. I think the tour is 12 and you go to the basement room first and then upstairs to the studio proper. It's small. The merch offered is good - picks, hats, t-shirts, postcards. Nice people. One hour tour was 30 minutes too long for best friend and I. I really think dropping names of producers is boring and just hitting the highlights would make the tour piece more interesting. It's a functioning studio still so call before you plan to go to ensure they will have a tour. I asked what it costs to record there and they couldn't answer me. Nice thing to check off your southern music history list. I think the last of the original Swampers passed away last year. If you are a huge music industry buff this is your jam.

Wow, wow, wow, wow!!!! This is where the soundtrack to our lives was recorded. It's a one room tour but the guide was awesome, knew all the Swampers personally and had great stories to tell. Not near anything else but so, so worth the drive (took about 3 hrs from Nashville). Trust me, treat yourself.

To see the place where so much of the music I have listened to over the past 45 yrs, was actually created... was AWSOME! I recommend a visit & tour to any music lover!

What a great walk back in time! A fascinating music tour and so many stories of artists who recorded here and the albums they turned out... I could have listened to our tour guide, Chad, all day. It's a small studio but big on history. Lots of photos and original items from the studio's production days. There's a small gift shop.

The tour line was out the door so I don't think I need to convince anyone to come here....but if you're on the fence for whatever absurd reason, go to Muscle Shoals Sound and take the tour! BUT I do recommend going to FAME first and then Muscle Shoals sound because the stories flow together in that order. Hear the story of how THE ROLLING STONES started! It's an experience you can't get anywhere else and is seriously so amazing!

We went Saturday august 2021. Tickets were $15/each.the tour was nice not as good as the Fame studio tour but pretty good.they are still building it up, so maybe in a year it should be better. The tour I thought needed more script for the tour guide., more music played and more story behind the music . Good stories are always great.

The location and aura the place gives off is awesome.  I wish they would just allow you to browse about the studio... We did the tour, and were overwhelmed by the  tour guide (thus minus one star).  He wouldn't leave us alone, kept talking and talking and insisting that we pay attention to his message.  It would've been better if he were more chill or let us be, let us soak up the environment.   Maybe the other tour guides are better. It's absolutely, definitely worth the stop, and experience, and a few minutes in the actual studio is really, really cool too.

My family and I shared one of the best experiences we've ever had together at this incredible place. I'd call it holy ground. Our guide was one of the best story tellers I've heard. His name is Terrell and he alone turned a possibly great time into one my parents, myself and my children will always remember. Too many amazing stories to go into myself and I could never do them justice. Please do yourself a favor and stop by. If you love music and music history, MSS is a holy place that must be seen and felt to believe.

So much cool information for music lovers! To think, we were standing where many talented legends had stood and performed! I was hanging on every word and wanted to know more. Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable. I highly recommend!

This is a must for music lovers! It was such a good time. Small building with big history. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, and very friendly.

We toured both here and FAME. Both had their attributes and history but the lady that gives the tour here MAKES IT! She loves the artists and knows the history. Very friendly and knowledgeable

Wonderful tour. Our guide was really passionate about the studio's history and the music coming out of it, and answered everybody's questions. Many in the group had seen the "Muscle Shoals" documentary, but he gave us a brief and interesting history of how they opened the studio. As he walked us through the lounge and studio, we got a lot of cool stories. Here's the bathroom (located right next to the studio) where Keith Richards locked himself in to finish writing "Wild Horses". The grand piano is the one that the piano intro for "Freebird" was first played on (and recorded on their demo), and "Codachrome" plus a lot of Bob Seeger and Leon Russell classics were played. The bass corner of the studio - left intact - is where "I'll Take You There" was tracked. My husband and I are musicians and we loved it.

We paid $15 for what they said was a 45 min tour. We walked into the studio and through it into the sound booth and that was it. We stood waiting for a tour and al he said was that Cher was the first contract. They are a 5013c and I cannot see what we paid for. Terribly disappointing!

I've always been such a fan of the Shoals, ever since I moved there in 2010 to attend UNA. I was so happy to hear the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios had been revitalized and was open to the public. This tour is a must-do for any music lover and resident of the area. Anyone that's lived here will tell you that this town has a sort of magic to it. There's just something in the water. This was hands down one of the best tours that I have ever been on. The building itself has been molded back into what it once was with replicas of most of the furniture, tons of music equipment sourced from the time period and a few things that are actually original to the studio. But it's not all of that that makes the tour so special. It was the guide that really pushed this review to five stars. He was so knowledgeable and spoke with such passion about the studio and the time period that he had me pulling out my phone every five minutes to Google this and bookmark that and maybe order this from Amazon. To hear someone speak with so much passion about something and have that first hand, I was there knowledge, is just remarkable. This tour is a must do!

Some people do not know of the importance of Muscle Shoals to Alabama music history! That's too bad.

Amazing tour! This was an amazing historical site with an amazing story. Terrell told the story with animation and lots of humor. The Swampers original studio is a wonderful experience you do not want to miss!

So cool to see this restored music studio. Shout out to Dr. Dre for his generosity. $15 for the tour and worth every penny that goes back to the nonprofit that owns and operates the studio. Great history and stories. If only those walls could talk. Great gift shop too.

This place was suggested to me from the Alabama music hall of fame museum. From the outside it looks quite unassuming. Once inside it was like a step back into the 70's! Still a moderately active sound studio that was once home to musicians like The Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The tour guide really knew his history and is still in touch with the last living Swamper that started the studio in 1969. This was a fun stop on my northern Alabama tour!

Ever since my daughter treated me to a tour of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio a couple of years ago, I have wanted to take my hubby. Just couldn't get it out of my bloodstream. I knew he would love it as much as I did. If you love old time rock and roll, r& b, and soul music from the late 60s thru late 70s go take a look and listen. Our guide Chase was just incredible!! You can tell he's more than passionate about this history and really made it come alive for us

There's nothing particularly wrong with this one, it's just that it's a waste of time compared to the authentic FAME tour just down the road. It doesn't feel very historic at all since it was renovated by Apple and Beats, whereas FAME studios looks just as it does in the documentary. The part about the bathroom was pretty cool though.

The tour guide was very knowledgeable on all of the history behind this studio! So many great bands performed here, it's fascinating to be apart of!

The receptionist was extremely rude to me. I don't know if it is because I was female or a younger female. He would not speak to me and directed all questions to my dad who was next to me. (I'm 35 years old) When I said we needed 3 adults and 2 senior tickets he looked at me brushed me off and asked my dad if that was correct. I walked away after that. The tour was good, but I probably didn't get all the information as I was mad about the start and it just put me in a mood.

Remember all those vinyl LP's you had from the 60's-70's that said "recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios"? Like the Stones 'Sticky Fingers' or Traffic's 'Shootout at Fantasy Factory'..well, this place is a venerable who's who of the music business and a must see for the serious music fan. I got goosebumps when I saw Les Paul's 'Octopus' sitting in the corner and when Noel, our guide, pointed to a tape recorder on the floor while explaining this was John Lennon's (Yoko donated it) I began to tremble. Oh, there's the Marshall amp that belonged to Ted Nugent, the drumset that belongs to Alabama..the toliet seat hanging over the bathroom like a good luck horseshoe on which 'Wild Horses' was composed..I was a kid in a candy factory! Everything is original and functional..the piano which gave us the lilting solo at the end of Layla..the worn couches where many a star lounged, the walls full of signatures and notes from the recording artists..it's all here. AND they still record music to this day. Noel said a metal band from Detroit was coming in that afternoon for a session. As a National Historic Preservation site and only $10.00 admission, it is well worth the trip there. And they have cool t-shirts for $25.00/each. Do check this place out, you will be in awe!

5 stars purely based on it's history and ambience. I am not worthy!!!!! Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, formed by a breakaway group from FAME in 1969. This studio mentioned in "Sweet Home Alabama" by Skynyrd. The following artists recorded here. The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cher, Bob Seeger, Aretha Franklin, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart. I thought the building was empty, so pulled my Harley up front. But the roar and backfire of my pipes, woke up a couple of hippies that are sleeping inside. Maybe they are a band recording a new album? I dont know. But after my visit, I listened to Sticky Fingers, by the Rolling Stones, which was recorded here. If you are into music history, definitely worth a visit.

Legendary home of the Swampers. Incredible how many classic hits were recorded here. If you're anywhere near the vicinity you should take a tour and soak it all in.

We were driving through Muscle Shoals recently and decided a tour of this acclaimed studio was in order. The hour-long walk back into time was well worth it. Chase was our tour guide and I can't imagine anyone being better prepared. He did a wonderful job putting us into the music scene of the sixties and seventies. His descriptions of the "Swampers", how they evolved and the musicians they recorded with were well organized and very thorough. We left this tour feeling as if we were there during those recording sessions. We know things about songs and bands that we didn't know prior to being here. The building, the history and tour are very deserving of five stars if you enjoy rhythm and blues, rock and soul.

Guy in he gift shop was so rude we left before the tour even after paying for an overpriced poster.

Muscle Shoals and FAME were the culmination of a music-related road trip that started in Clarksdale, MS for the Juke Joint Festival. This tour was absolutely fantastic. The only "negative" was the length, but primarily because we felt like we had so many questions later. All of the people encountered (tour guide, initial greeter, etc.) were very friendly and welcoming. The tour guide is clearly very knowledgable and tells the Muscle Shoals story in a way that both educates and entertains. There is a vast array of merchandise to choose from at the conclusion, and it is (in my opinion) reasonably priced. I would very much take this tour again as I feel there is a lot to be learned here.

Wow, we were so lucky to get a tour with just a few other people during the Covid pandemic. The staff was very good about wearing masks and our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. I'd say this is one of the best tours we have ever had. X's marked the spot where different groups should move around the studio and the stories told were just incredible. Please drive out of your way to stop here, don't miss it. It's run by a nonprofit and it's important we support their work.

Well spent 15$ per person tour. I had goosebumps with our tour guide giving info I hadn't heard before or even read online. Small studio but it's amazing what history has come out of this humble building. Support them!

We enjoyed this tour. The guides were well versed on the history of this recording studio, including the names of artists that played here. The tour costs $12 per person and lasts 60 minutes. The only criticism I have is that the tours are not well advertised. While I was familiar with this studio, I did not know when the tours were conducted. So you have to show up, Park your car, then walk in to see if there are enough people for a tour. The foundation that runs the studio has done an excellent job in renovating the studio and re-opening it for tours. I do recommend this place if one is in muscle Shoals.

If you only have time to do one thing in the area: This is it. Well loved and presented, this is the beating heart of Muscle Shoals.

A must for any music lover. $12 for the guided tour is worth every cent. Collin, tour guide, was awesome. Extremely knowledgable. You can feel and smell the history in the bones of this small building with a big sound.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love music. I have watched the Muscle Shoals Documentary several times and I makes me dance and sing every single time I watch it. This past weekend, I decided to take my family to Muscle Shoals. Could not bypass the chance to go and see where several of my favorite songs in the entire world (Freebird for one) Were recorded. It was so great! I recommend this to anyone.

Every music fan should step inside this building. Period.

This out of the way piece of history was an added attraction to a recent trip to New Orleans. Next time I'll skip New Orleans and just explore this place where you can feel the presence of music greats of years ago. I touched the piano that Bob Seger played while recording Old Time Rock and Roll. The tour was intimate and very interesting. If music has ever touched your soul this place will be well worth the entry fee.

I bought and paid for a MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO t-shirt on December 23/12. The transaction was through PayPal and paid with a MasterCard credit card. Around the 20th of January 2013, I e-mailed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio to ask when I'd get this t-shirt. Their reply was simply, "end of Jan" . It seemed they were mad because I asked when I could expect to receive the PAID FOR t-shirt. Next thing i see, MSSS refunded my money without any explanation. I find that shoddy business and I've only just began to let people know how rude and ignorant the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio really is. It's a museum now and no more records are recorded there I don't think, but as a consumer, I bought and paid for an item from these...people, and out of the blue they just refund the money back to my credit card without an explanation. I paid near $50 for the t-shirt, so you'd think they'd be glad to sell t-shirts all day long at that price, but the..."people" at MSSS may as well have told me to go f#!&^ myself. I would have appreciated that over nothing at all.