1970 Fame Studios Documentary

A Swedish documentary from 1970 that was filmed at the legendary Fame studio in Muscle Shoals, AL.Featuring amazing footage of Willie Hightower in the studio cutting "Walk a Mile in My Shoes."

[@davidhuff77]

At 12:19 in the background is a song called “Don’t Say No” by David and the Giants. (Later on Rick Hall Recorded the song on Donny Osmond) We were so blessed to be with Rick and Fame for several years. The way I found this documentary was because I remembered there were 2 fellas from Sweden who came and filmed while we were recording 4 singles there. Mickey Buckins was producing the songs. David and the Giants had been produced earlier by Jimmy Johnson and Roger Hawkins when Rick Hall signed a distribution deal with Capitol Records..(We were on their subsidiary label Crazy Horse) There is a shot of me and my brother Clayborn Huff in the studio at 23:02. This was our first recording after Jimmy, Roger, Barry Beckett and David Hood left to go across town and start Muscle Shoals Sound. I count it an honor to say I was blessed by the Lord to have known some of the greatest musicians and friends from my days in Muscle Shoals. David Huff David and the Giants

[@tedbundy3642]

Crazy a "good ol boy" was behind ALL that music. Mind Blown by you Mr Hall

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

When I think about the music that I listened to as a child and then as a young adult, and I realize what my son and his contemporaries are listening to it makes me sad. Kids today would rather sit down in front of a computer screen or with a phone playing games, when they could be getting inspireded by listening to great music like this. They aren't even willing to learn to play an instrument on their own. If we lose music we will be losing one of the elements which bestows upon us our humanity.

[@BlaineO]

I was born and raised a mile from Fame in Muscle Shoals and have wrote and played music here for many years. Still live here too. I knew Rick, and his son Rodney is still keeping Fame busy….but even though I personally know the ins and outs of Fame Studio, I’m never not impressed with the history of the place!

[@IrishTexan09]

Just spent two days in Muscle Shoals. Just an incredible story. It is still a small sleepy town. Can’t imagine how it was in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Florence Alabama Music Enterprise = FAME.

[@scottward6537]

I was in the studio when Willie Hightower cut his last album in Muscle Shoals

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

Now that's an honor.

[@ledhendrix5054]

What I loved about Fame Studio's was they were recording during Segregation , and to see these films you wouldn't think so.

[@smilingjack555]

Fantastic doc. Thank you.

[@tonystewart4113]

This goes to show that music had no barriers back then.

[@openedto]

It's wonderful watching the alchemy at work 💚

[@keithpruett7971]

I remember seeing Rick Hall pulling up and talking to my grandpa all the time and it was crazy to know the music history in my area

[@ghostrider2012]

Just Toured the Legendary FAME Studios today it was a blast a ton of history in that building. True soul brothers Black & White Swampers making some of the greatest music hits this world has ever heard. Straight from Muscle Shoals Alabama.

[@ray-mond9215]

back when people made great music.

[@charleswinokoor6023]

So called contemporary R&B artists today might pick up a few valuable things by watching this.

[@ValerieBianco]

Rick Hall was down to earth and gifted. He knew the talent and his mix brought them to fame. Willie Hightower, a perfect example. A wonderful documentary of music from the deep South.

[@matsnilsson565]

+Valerie Bianco So true. But JIM STEWART was one guy that got some more impressive and more gifted artists going for him and this was just in the same vein but just so more superior. JIM STEWART and ESTELLE AXTON formed a label called STAX and this is where all true soul came from if you ask me. OTIS REDDING, BOOKER T. & THE MG'S and BAR-KAY'S just says it all for me!

[@giovanna722]

@@matsnilsson565 Stax and Muscle Shoals were both powerhouses of creativity and produced music of enduring quality.Just a matter of personal taste as to which you prefer.

[@stagehand9002]

Thank You Sweden for teaching me my american music history & those who posted this priceless piece.

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

This is fantastic. What a sound.

[@donaldbeard6231]

I absolutely had no idea how much music history was in Fame Studios Wow

[@stevelaskey6895]

Unbelievable. If you get the chance, stop in there. Giant pic of Duane Allman on the wall. Watch Muscle Shoals documentary if you haven't yet. It will give you goose bumps seeing all the artists that went thru there, and what great musicians "the Muscle Shoals Stompers" were.

[@hot88s23]

@@stevelaskey6895 Recorded there last week. (Sept. 2023)

[@jaminova_1969]

Fantastic! I Love Etta James!

[@soulman615]

That's incredible footage! WOW - a Rick Hall session with The FAME Gang, back when Muscle Shoals was The Hit Capitol Of The World.

[@bubba4072]

This is so awesome! It's great to see this old footage. I love the Etta James version of I'd Rather Go Blind.

[@gleannmhuire]

Much much better version.

[@theressamurphy2996]

To be able to be in a recording studio with a legion....how sweet🎉✨✨

[@08CARIB]

great footage

[@Gratefulbead]

said before, say it again... thank you for making this available!

[@brucesloan8061]

Man...seeing this old black & white footage of life in my early childhood , really , stings , hard , hard....

[@nitedreamer23]

Where's this doc been all my life? I never knew this existed! Thank you, Eli. You do a wonderful job of keeping this music alive.

[@CuttySX455]

Check out the documentary about Muscle Shoals Sound.

[@shkyrbty]

Wow, just wow! Thank you for uploading.

[@jeffman454ss]

I moved to the Shoals in 2002 and have had the opportunity to meet Rick Hall and a few others over the years. I really enjoyed the footage. it was very interesting. Thank you for posting.

[@avanti6058]

This is the first time I've seen a documentary that goes so deep into the recording and songwriting process and I've seen a lot. thank you so much for this!

[@michaelgallagher3640]

Check out Muscle Shoals doc., it's great.

[@jeffbeguinmusic7157]

That is flipping gold. Thanks for posting it!

[@giovanna722]

Thank you! It's so rare to see real behind the scenes footage of musicians, especially of this caliber, creating in the studio. Just loved it.

[@piggycity]

Pretty awesome that Rick hall had a secret life creating beautiful music in that town

[@LEGENDERYSTATIC]

What a spot gotta visit one day ✌🏼💯

[@crisprtalk6963]

I live one hour away.

[@hipgroove68]

A great vid! Back when it was all real! Real players..making real music,on real instrument's!

[@JasonFerguson1283]

Thanks for this!

[@dickirish1]

Excellent! Interesting after watching the 'Muscle Shoals' film on BBC4 TV recently.

[@AnAmericanGuitarist]

I just watched "Muscle Shoals" on DVD. Great, modern documentary and it takes you a lot farther along with more recent interviews and great guests. This 1970 youtube documentary was still back in the early years. And if you want to see FAME studio in current times, watch the Greg Allman video titled My Only True Friend. Rick Hall is also briefly in the video. The album and video were done shortly before they each left us.

[@matsnilsson565]

This is why i gladly pay extra money out of the ordinary exceptional high tax we got here in Sweden, SVT is just like BBC, one of the worlds best in keeping our history intact without any influence from the money hunger and ad dependent owners of the the other so called channels that twists everything their way! This documentary are soooo rare and can only be saved by a source like SVT! We can now sit back and enjoy something great like this thanks to public television! For heavens sake we got RICK HALL here, the man himself and he talks about the whole legendary run he got down at Muscle shoals. We even see and hear the all true legendary musicians that literally played on every SOUL albums we now treasures.

[@thebadloser]

Mats - I'm afraid you're very wrong about the BBC. They destroyed or recorded-over most of their material from the 50's/60's that would have any cultural significance in future decades including 95% of Top Of The Pops episodes. If you realise that includes appearances by The Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Who, Pink Floyd (several appearances with Syd Barret), The Yardbirds, Small Faces etc this is one of the great tragedies (amongst many!) of the BBC. This continued way into the 70's (lost appearances of Bowie/Bolan/Roxy Music, and nearly everything else!) Which is why when you watch Sound's Of The 60's/70's on BBC4 they embarrassingly keep rotating the same old clips - it's all they have! And don't get me started on classic comedy! They moved to a new building in 1972 and literally threw original recordings of classic shows into a giant bin as they considered it trivial and worthless. I don't know if you use the word 'cunts' in Sweden - if not, look it up.

[@melodymakermark]

I used that word once addressing my wife. once ☹️

[@melodymakermark]

Rick Hall had a certain way of doing things. It was called Rick Hall’s way. Man oh man, did it work.

[@johanakermyr1437]

Thanks for the swedish subtitles, de underlättar verkligen! Stort tack! Seriously, this is absolutely fantastic. Like one of the musicians put it, not at all like like Motown but still different from the Memphis sound. Golden days of soul music.

[@ih2246]

I love FAME, it is right across from a Walgreens

[@annacochran4418]

And its beside a CVS

[@billosment1152]

Thank you.

[@brucesloan8061]

This is a soulful window to the inspiration of the southern attitude..After reading the early life of Rick Hall... I --SEE--that Rick had no illusions of humble lifestyles...I truly identify with his inspiration of --we got nuthin , so we got nuthin to lose , by givin it all we got and then some-

[@ishiyama333]

Thank you for uploarding this great documentary film.

[@kenperk9854]

Muscle Shoals folks we've lost since the movie was released in 2013: Aretha Franklin, Jesse Boyce, Percy Sledge, Glenn Frey, Ed King and Bob Burns of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Leon Russell, Tony Joe White, Harrison Calloway Muscle Shoals Horns, Scott Boyer song writer, JJ Cale, Yvonne Staples, Bobby Womack, Joe Cocker, Ray Sawyer, Gregg Allman, Tom Hendrix and Rick Hall.

[@thebadloser]

I remember most of these deaths Ken, but seeing them all listed together is quite something and very depressing. I guess it's because (in my eyes anyway) there's nothing coming along to replace them. Music used to be so natural and organic. It sounds so controlled, over-produced and soulless now.

[@cherylsmith905]

And Roger Hawkins 2021

[@pacwest1000]

Excellent documentary! It would appear that the 2013 film 'Mussel Shoals' used a few shots from this production.

[@Pastor58]

This is where RHYTHM AND BLUES STARTED!! The BEST time in history for music from here to the 70's! Awesome time capsule of footage... MORE, MORE, MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@whotoinfinity]

I dig it deep! When ever I learn more about FAME/MS I think there is a future road trip for me... Detroit to Muscle Shoals... I've heard tell it's in the water... or perhaps there was a special moment in time there... I want to know if any of the energy still exists.

[@TheBillwilliam]

so cool thanx man

[@MrOLLY74]

Great!!!!

[@jipes]

Incredible the story around I'd Rather be blind

[@Bradburger]

Rick Hall - The Master!

[@divingduck1970]

Don't let the first bit in Swedish throw you. Keep watching.

[@greenalishi222]

Wonderful

[@plantdaddy3420]

Class! 🤩

[@soulfulduck]

Wow! Fame Gang!

[@flightdeckproductions3439]

love to record in that scene

[@BamaPaul]

I want to know who recorded these great old videos back then ? Awesome 👏

[@harperwelch5147]

Fun!

[@MrMarkar1959]

God Bless MuscleShoals!! whoever yer recording with,, and them Swampers,,Bless them guys like Skynyrd n bonnie blue flag!!

[@tyroniousyrownshoolacez2347]

People who needed Rick Hall: Thousands. People who liked Rick Hall: 0

[@rodneyhall7754]

Hum us your last hit!!

[@thatbasementband8122]

watch the wrecking crew doc.

[@rebeloneal4592]

I remember playing for Earl Cheeks studios on lane st. In a very small old cotton mill town called Kannapolis N.C. I played as a back up fill in Rhythm guitar player or that's what Earl was selling me. It wasn't until May Muslewhite demanded from Earl who the Rhythm Guitar player was that Earl put on her demo song she was planning to pitch to Tresa Yearwood I think that was the female country singer it was. But Earl kept putting Mary off and telling her he had lost touch with me and just couldn't remember my name I'd find my phone number. That was the lie Earl kept telling Mary. Well one day Mary showed up to Earl's recording studio early and I had come by to pick up money Earl oilowed me. We got to talking and Mary asked me if I knew any of the guys that played at Earl's. I told her that I knew all of them. Then she asked if I knew the name of the Rhythm guitar player or was there more than one. I told her yes I knew him very well she said really I said very well then Mary said di you know how to get in touch with tge nnan? I said honey your talking with him because I'm him. After talking with Mary I learned what Earl was doing to me and Mary. Earl would pay me for finally cut recordings in other words what was really used on the demo. So Earl was say oh man lets do it again because you were kind of not staying constant with you speed. So sometimes we'd do 20 or so which he saved but only pay me for one final cut cause he said I can only use the good cut. When all the time he got 19 cuts for one. So I quit his ass. Then me Mary Junie Larry Smokey bobby yost Donnie ruff Jimmy dove and about twenty others went Ion the road we had fun..

[@RedGibsonsRock]

Interesting story. I know K-Town and Lane St pretty well. Where was that studio -- or is it still there?

[@willnzsurf]

🌴😎💯

[@FAME2Music]

only the docs first few minutes are in Swedish...the rest is southern English..

[@mtwallet69]

...those Etta James & Candi Staton singles are so good... not one weak song from those sessions... didn't Joe South play bass on Aretha Franklin's Muscle Schoals recordings (Chain of Fools)?

[@jimmyscratchjames]

Joe South was on baritone guitar for Aretha's "Chain Of Fools" here is the uncut version complete with Joe accompanying Aretha in the intro that they cut out for radio edit kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWHWZnaGZ9CLqcU

[@rwbpiano]

Love the Fame story. Who'd a thought all those great hits were recorded in a little corner of northwest Alabama. Bunch of white guys with soul playing backup on so many songs that I grew up assuming were played with black soul musicians. But I will say there's something about southern music, just something about it. I agree with Rick Hall that the Joe South "Walk a Mile in my Shoes" production value sucked. Was a big hit, but bad production value.

[@bamaVOX]

Fast forward and you get Alabama Shakes and Jason Isbell. But the difference is, they grew up in that area.

[@stretchmorgan]

What happened to the "Your love got me covered" tune? Sounds awesome here.

[@bloctontodd]

Does anyone know the radio station or disc jockey at 20:03?

[@nopenopemaybeyep]

Does anyone know if the demo of "I'd Rather Go Blind" was ever released?

[@badboychopsticks]

Yeah i need hear that shit, it sounds incredible

[@alfonsomonterroso5538]

Post Swampers Documentary, with the new musicians crew, The FAME Gang.

[@rocknfan100]

Correction: This is pre-Swampers Era Rock-N-Roll !

[@marcottavi2655]

@@rocknfan100 post swampers

[@rocknfan100]

NOT post-swampers. Etta James ' I'd Rather Go Bling ' was recorded in '67 with the 'ORIGINAL ' Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section as was Aretha Franklins ' I've Never Loved a Man' & ' Son of a Preacher Man' also '67 & Candi Staton ' I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart ' '69 BEFORE they left for Nashville. Their replacements left FAME in 1969 and were given the name 'The Swampers' by Denny Cordell while working with Leon Russell. The Swampers continued working and making hits well into the '80's.

[@marcottavi2655]

Are you confused between post and pre :) ? This is Fame studio in 1970 . Wich means it’s post , after the swampers were working at fame . They opened their own studio after fame

[@marcottavi2655]

It doesn’t matter when they were named swampers , what we are saying here it’s that this is AFTER the damn swampers went away from fame and rick hall

[@TheSeandb]

Anyone know who is singing at 3.50 Your love got me covered?

[@josebordoy9535]

Thanks for this amazing documentary. Anybody know the song that they play at 2:50? Thanks!

[@melodymakermark]

Not sure why Dusty’s Son of a Preacher Man was included. As much respect as I have for FAME, Preacher Man was Memphis Chips Moman American Sound through and through.

[@rodneyhall7754]

I think they were just listening to it in the studio

[@melodymakermark]

Oh ok my bad, I guess I wasn’t paying attention. That makes sense as it was a pretty recent release about then I guess. They were probably plotting to kidnap Reggie Young and bring him to Alabamy.

[@melodymakermark]

Any kin to Rick? 🤔

[@exol2067]

Hej

[@Adveniotu]

2:30, you are hearing what Brazilian Rosewood has given us. I wish so badly there was a way to harvest it, charge a premium and direct those resources to conservation efforts. Much like hunting licenses.

[@josebordoy9535]

Do you know t’he song they are Playing? Thanks

[@victorvoisin5980]

is this pop/demo version of "i'd rather go blind" (10:45) published somewhere ??? i need it!!

[@chrissumner8172]

I hear you. This version is AMAZING and I cant get it out of my head.

[@raphkatchdrums]

for real

[@CrocodileJock]

Yep… LOVE Bobby Gentry - Plenty of SOUL in those pop vocals! Got chills when they first did the falsetto backing vocals!

[@Squanderama]

I think Spencer Wiggins ended up with that track. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHa6p2uBqaqWsKc

[@michaelharrington75]

​​@@Squanderama That's clearly not the same version. It's much slower than the "pop version" being recorded in this video. Baseline completely different, no horns, different backing vocals.

[@josebordoy9535]

Does anyone know the song they play at 02:30 ? Thanks

[@rodneyhall7754]

It was a song they were writing

[@TheSoulArchiveTV]

Does anybody know where we can hear the 'I'd Rather Go Blind' demo in full? [e-mail]

[@tuskedbeast]

Can anyone name the song playing at 12:16?

[@tuskedbeast]

Thanks to the Soul forum member who helped: David And The Giants - Don't Say No

[@martshankleman]

Great studio, but why make the musicians clock off (29.23) at end of shift?? It’s not a biscuit factory!

[@rodneyhall7754]

They were paid by the hour

[@Maki.1028]

ウィリー・ハイタワー♪✨🤎

[@pressureworks]

No footage of that "white hippie kid Duane" camping out in the parking lot ?

[@rodneyhall7754]

When this was shot, the Allmans hadn't hit yet.

[@pressureworks]

@@rodneyhall7754 before starting the band, he used to camp out in the parking lot.

[@rodneyhall7754]

@@pressureworks 👍🏼 I know.. my father was Rick Hall who owned the studio. I now run it. Duane played lots of hits here but left probably a few months before this was filmed to start ABB.

[@pressureworks]

@@rodneyhall7754 thank you for your replies.

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

Making race jokes and having fun use to not get you fired ?

[@joshpeck4857]

The used biology gully pump because north america contrarily saw upon a free collision. better, early example

[@gleannmhuire]

Dreadful version of I’d Rather go Blind. Awful.