662. Tour of United Recording Studio

My new Web site is: www.lelandsklarsbeard.com. My book "Everybody Loves Me" is there plus my BEARD T Shirts and high quality prints of my paintings and drawings.
Here are the directions to my new club house if you want to come and hang. flatfiv.co/pages/lees-clubhouse. There is fun swag there too!
My PO Box is: Leland Sklar
PO Box 92316
600 Lincoln Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91109-9998

[@lelandsklar6363]

Made a mistake on the video. It starts at what was Western Recording Studio, not United. The complex was United/Western. Then when I walked down the street it was to United. My mistake.

[@johnshenale6079]

My god Leland , Don never ages :(

[@stixkid9811]

Victor Feldman invited me on a studio session when I was about 13 years old at Western United, back in 1974. My dad gave Piano Lessons to his sons Trevor and Jake. I don’t think Josh took Piano Lessons so I’m not sure anymore it was great. It was a Chevrolet commercial with Hal Blaine on drums. Hal was super cool. He let me play his drums unattended for probably 30 minutes after the session. Great to see this again. Thank you so much.

[@SoundsFair--M-and-J]

Sklar U. field trip!!!! This was fantastic, thanks so much!!! 😃😃👍👍

[@PB-fo6dq]

So much history! To be sure, I appreciate those whose performers whose names and faces are so well known. Yet… my friends will say I become animated when talking about the session musicians who so often created the music “ex nihilo”, or from nearly nothing. I am thankful for the documentaries and various KZbin shorts, large and small, that have helped us to know about The Wrecking Crew, Booker T. & the M.G.s, and the Stax crew, the Funk Brothers, etc. Thanks to James Jamerson, Bob Babbitt, Carol Kaye, Duck Dunn, and you, Mr. Sklar for making it great fun to play bass guitar!

[@kikohurtado1]

Don Murray!!! First time I see him in a video, being listening to his great work since the 80's

[@gasfarts3]

Thank you Leland for the tour. The history of these studios need to be preserved. So many great places bringing artists together and producing timeless music. Sadly in Nashville so many great studios are gone.

[@barrywaples8150]

Evening Lee & all Greetings from Epping,UK. Cheers Barry 🎸

[@glh-zs7mf]

Incredible post thank you 👍 love the IF great stuff👍🎶🎸🙌

[@SeanVedell]

Man, Sunset Boulevard is noisy!! The history on those walls and in those rooms. Man, what a treat. I’d take two hours to just walk down the hall looking at all those pictures. Thanks for the tour and memories. You have the best! stories.

[@michaelcope9501]

Thank you Mr. Sklar. You are so awesome!

[@keepontruckinoutlawlife1248]

WOW THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHOWING US LESS FORTUNATE MUSICIANS THIS. THANKS ALSO FOR ALL YOUR GREAT MUSIC WITH PHIL COLLINS AND JUST YOUR TALENT. ❤🖤❤🖤❤🖤❤🖤❤🖤❤🖤❤🖤❤🖤❤🖤❤🖤❤🖤

[@aschneider70]

My man! Just for the truck you deserves a Grammy! And Lari!!! Our brazilian treasure!

[@El_K_Bron_Del_Moycas]

And to see Lee's picture in the hall... The ultimate testimony of a lifetime of dedication, discipline, talent and kindness.

[@adamah6456]

I recently saw Lee’s smiling face (well, I’m assuming he was smiling underneath the massive beard!) on a pic hanging in the hallway heading to the restroom of Vitello’s restaurant (the famous Italian food joint located in Tujunga Village district of Studio City).

[@kevinbrennen6773]

Wow, this is amazing. I hope you feel as proud as we do seeing your bearded face in those legendary pictures on the wall. You sir ARE a living legend and I'm so happy you're not only doing this channel, but still performing.

[@IshaanNigamOfficial]

Thanks for this visit. Wish to visit such a legendary studio some day❤️

[@guitardude4700]

You have a beautiful spirit miss 👍🙏

[@PeterEgmose]

Studio A is "the story" of my "musical life" (born in 55), and you've been working there, with all those people! I was curios about you from the first time I saw and heard you, and after 3 years, since corona started, I've grown the same beard and "hair" as you☮

[@RogerBergqvist]

I´ll think.... Michael Ruff recorded - Speaking in melodies there. Per Lindvall on drums, Lars Danielsson on bass, Henrik Jansson on keys and some Leland Sklar on Bass. If i remember right it was 1992-93... A great studio tour. These "secret" rooms of music.

[@lelandsklar6363]

Michael was great to work with.

[@Spidouz]

9:21 It’s all about Sparkle and Purple :)

[@allendean9807]

Lari basillo has so much joy when she plays. A true inspiration to players the world over

[@prs149]

I've been in that studio when it was known as ocean way(1989) ,And I discovered Lari quite a while ago on KZbin , I thought that was Her in the thumbnail, I decided to watch this video hoping that he was gonna mention ocean way,,( now United) And to my Surprise Leland did, And now I feel 25 again in which I was 32 years ago when I've visited there

[@blairhelsing630]

Thanks for taking us along.

[@rikconverse8726]

I remember seeing S.I.R. when I’d leave from a shoot at Sunset Gower Studios. I always thought it was the coolest place. Always busy and often a “rocker” sighting.

[@jeffersonspace]

Thanks for the all this history. Some of us are feeling all warm... Be safe, bless

[@nielswil]

Thank you for the tour. I hope more will come our way.

[@kitano0]

Lari is one of the most wonderful people on the planet. So are you, Lee!

[@basslobster]

Thanks for the tour. Love the old school analogue equipment. 👍

[@ronfreeman5857]

Thanks for this, Lee, really appreciate your narrative on the history of this...Great too have a look...we are privileged..

[@kimr45]

Awesome tour Leland, thanks for taking the time to do that.

[@ericdreizen1463]

Frank Sinatra's office was on the 2nd floor of United. This was Reprise Records, founded by Frank Sinatra. He & Bing built this building! When I was in HS, near here, I walked in off the street after final exams. They were nice to me & I got to hang during the Batman sessions w/ Neil Hefti's orch w/ Hal Blaine on drums. Too many hits recorded here to mention, including of course all of Sinatra's Reprise hits, ie Very Good Year, My Way, New York New York, on & on. This studio was/is ground zero!

[@gdownz1044]

I knew I've seen pictures of this place before and remember reading about it when I looked up the History of Reprise some years ago. What an incredible studio it is. Thank You for sharing this story and your memories. It was Great! 👍

[@patrickonvancouverisland9223]

Great historic place☝️🎵🎶

[@1stand2ndtimearound67]

YEAH!!!!!! great behind the scenes. Love the shot of ALL the famous people that have been there before you...

[@marygiuranna6817]

Thank you for taking us "behind the scenes" today Lee, it was extraordinary!!

[@euroyen420p2]

When you were describing the wrecking crew memories, awesome man!

[@YellowWalkman]

Such an interesting world to explore

[@fordsrestorations970]

I'm new to your channel Lee excellent work and I am a major time history buff of the Arts archeology Antiquities thank you so much for this tour, although I have been there I did not see the inside . Thank you for putting Lari Basilio on, one of my favorite Artist.

[@lfmarton]

Wow ! Lari Basilio in the house! :)

[@eyelidman09]

These tours are great, Lee. Living history. Some folks will never set foot in a studio, yet these spaces have been your office and workspace for over fifty years. Many thanks and respect.🙏👍🇬🇧🙏

[@ericdreizen1463]

Lee Sklar's office is here? Damn! Back in the day of course, Ol' Blue Eyes had his offices here on the 2nd floor. That's because this was Reprise, Frank Sinatra's record company. He & Bing Crosby both built this building!

[@eyelidman09]

Thanks Eric. Fascinating.👍

[@subdude1234]

@@ericdreizen1463 Wondering why he recorded at Capital then? Was it a newer and better studio?

[@ericdreizen1463]

@@subdude1234 I lived thru it all; perhaps u weren't born yet? He was w/ Capitol earlier & recorded there B4 he founded Reprise. As far as I know, anyway. I don't know his reason for leaving & starting his own. Capitol couldn't have been newer cz' they were there first, founded in the '50s by musician/songwriter extraordinaire Johnny Mercer & Glen Wallichs. Originally next to Wallich's Music City, a record & sheet music store, at Sunset & Vine. WMC was an institution in the LA music scene then. Many Capitol artists made personal appearances there. After the Capitol Tower was built, they moved there & Dot Records moved in. That was Randy Woods' label & they had quite a stable, Pat Boone & Lawrence Welk among them. I was playing drums in a good band (I was just outa HS) who Dot wanted to sign becz they thought we could get a hit. I don't know why the deal fell thru, the band later did an album for RCA becz Henry Mancini's son was a member & that was HM's label as an artist. I had to leave so I wasn't on that. Never got released anyway. But Henry used to come over & listen to us, said he was impressed. And that's the kind of band u wanna be in, lol. Draft Board & Vietnam really put an end to things for me. Whether their studios were "better" is subjective, Sinatra & many others felt quite comfortable recording there. RCA & Tutti Camarata's Sunset Sound (where all the Disney stars recorded) were going big guns in those days, too.

[@subdude1234]

@@ericdreizen1463 Thanks Eric. I was born in 1953, so I've been through the times myself. I wonder if that was the Randy Woods that wound up with the 'Ol Time Pickin' Parlor in Nashville.I was on the other side of the states playing bass for Connie Smith, Hagar Twins, and several other country artists, but was always fascinated with the west coast and Cal. My grandfather was the first chief station engineer for KABC-TV in LA. Always will remember Ed"Big Daddy Roth" Rat Fink, Beach Boys and the good 'ol days.

[@carolynvines2027]

No doubt a fabulously fun "office for the day"! Man, the air conditioner was Loud in Studio A. I wonder if it's always like that.

[@lelandsklar6363]

Clearing air when not in use. Covid times

[@hugolafhugolaf]

Oh man, this is so cool...

[@DDK62]

I can hear it in your voice (& heart) the wonderfully , touching sentimental journey you just laid before us! Thank you for the treat ! ❤✌🎶

[@nathans.8063]

Thanks for the tour! I thought I saw a video of Green Day recording here and it looked familiar. Then I saw the records on the wall and it confirmed it.

[@Cheekymongoose351]

My favorite video that you have done Leland, seeing a room where the Wrecking Crew recorded is a serious treat. Thanks Mate for sharing 👍

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Theres a dvd about wrecking crew. Check it out

[@Cheekymongoose351]

@@lastnamefirst4035 Thanks I have seen it twice, Glen Campbell is one of my favorite Guitarists of all time. He doesn’t get the props he deserves by the masses but does by the tasty players. I wonder if Leland got to do much work with him?

[@lelandsklar6363]

Denny Tedesco who did the Wrecking Crew movie is doing a movie about the Immediate Family now.

[@lastnamefirst4035]

@@lelandsklar6363 Looking forward to seeing that

[@brianJes]

@@lelandsklar6363 just wondering if along the way you might have run into my mothers uncle John T Morell who was a jazz guitarist and teacher. He was Tommy Tedesco's early guitar teacher and his son Lou Morell played some bass with the crew at some point I believe. Lou's name appears in the Wrecking crew movie. Both Tommy and John are in the Niagara Falls Hall of Fame 2017. John Morell passed in 1992 and Tommy in 1997.

[@MiddleMalcolm]

I love these studio tours, and you can hear it in Lee's voice, the heartfelt reverence for the people and places that are part of our musical history. Lee... You are truly worthy to work inside these storied spaces. Thank you for these peeks into your day.

[@dwayneaguiar1148]

Wow thats a bad ass studio.🥁😎🥁..

[@ssravp]

Love that you’re going to be playing on Lari’s album! She’s an amazing guitarist!

[@aaronellison4775]

It's a shame so many people don't even know who she is. She is awesome!!!

[@willissellars6304]

...and could have been a lawyer, but I'm glad she made the choice she did!

[@gustavoviveros8394]

Thanks Lee 👍🏻 great tour 👌🏻

[@Gina-ly5bp]

😎 this is soooo cool! Thank you!

[@Ian-Steele]

Thank you very much for that studio tour Lee. I know it may seem like ‘home’ to you, but it’s a world that most of us never get to see and as such is especially fascinating. Judging by the photos on the wall that studio has been the source of a world of great music. I’m pleased they managed to squeeze in a photo of you and Waddy along with the other greats.

[@elenbrandt290]

The former "tenants" Ocean Way, are friends and lovely people. When I visited, all I wanted to do was plaster myself against the walls to soak up the history - you can feel it.

[@chrislestermusic]

I knew I recognized the location. I recorded there in the 90s.

[@absolutlynobody]

Hallo all from Copenhagen 🇩🇰

[@marktegeder2455]

Very cool!!!! Thanks for that tour!

[@ridgebackdk]

spoke with carol a few times many many years ago.... wonderful lady ....so full of information and so genuine ....said what was on her mind but so friendly ....

[@KeyboardMac]

Lots of iconic people on every wall, then suddenly LB pops up , Amazing dream studio, thankz LS

[@clemensmeiss1208]

Thanx for the trip. It’s some kind of breathtaking. You can feel the musical spirit through the Web ;-)

[@kenrehor]

Speaking of Mike Post, your Dingwall looks like the exact color of Jim Rockford's 1974 Pontiac Firebird!

[@paulmarjoram2258]

Absolutely Tops Lee. Thirst inducing insightful studio tour. There should be, must be, more of this as I’m sure there are many like me who are transfixed and interested in studio setups and the life in them in general. Top work as always. Much appreciate all that you do in bringing us all these enlightening superb snippets of your musical experiences, your views on life and the sharing of the all the great music you have been part of or simply enjoy yourself. Stay safe And healthy. Wishing you Happiness for as long as old master time gives you. You deserve a lot. 👏🌈

[@ivanlescalem.3035]

Gracias por compartir, thanks for sharing. Im an audio engeneer and its amazing to see thought ypur eyes and share your history. Thanks a lot. Greetings from México City.

[@ThomasVergouwen]

Thanks for taking us there! I've been watching with goosebumps man! The history that you've been witnessing on that day in 1967 is to be treasured forever. I can imagine it means a lot to you still!

[@splashesin8]

Love this kinda tour❣️ Thank you❣️🎶 :)

[@ronnyskaar3737]

You are an essential part of recording history, dear Leland. For me, at last. A bass that sat almost at the end of the beat. Creating so much room for The Song.

[@DaleBoyce2012]

Love the cameo of Lari!

[@jimprice07]

Thanks for sharing!

[@epiphonium]

That might be the most awesome thing I have ever seen ! To just think about all the fantastic music that happened in those rooms and how much talent walked thru those halls! I could stand there and look at those pictures all day. Just to breath the same air you guys once breathed. Thanks for this video. My eyes are tearing up. I am gonna watch this again a few times at a slower speed.

[@teresaclark1508]

My eyes teared up also thinking of all the musicians who have worked in this studio who have passed away.

[@epiphonium]

@@teresaclark1508 it's amazing isn't it ?

[@Linda-wk9ue]

Absolutely love the studio tour videos. A peek behind the curtain at how the magic is done and hearing you tell history stories is fascinating 😎🤘🎶🎸🖕

[@joendeb640]

Amazing! I am geeking out. Oh, how I would love to sit in on one of those long, monotonous recording sessions. Only a true audio geek would understand.

[@alanriley9621]

Lee, thanks for being so generous with your time and giving us this tour. What a treat for any fan of great music. I love seeing all those Gold Records on the wall. Someone did a wonderful job of framing and arranging all of those pictures. It's fascinating to hear your story about sitting on that couch and seeing all those legends, then you became one.👍🏆👈

[@dodo13500]

Back in high school, 1969 my group won a battle of the bands and the prize was recording there. A week after Frank Sanatra recorded in the same room!

[@petehernandez1476]

Leland, thank you for shooting this video. I used to live just up the street at the Hollywood Terrace and I used to walk by this studio on occasion when I'd go have breakfast just down the street and do a little exploring. So cool to see Lari Basilio. I absolutely ADORE her. The only thing more beautiful than her is her personality, talent, and her art. I cannot wait to EXPERIENCE the product of your collaborations. Thanks for taking us 'behind the scenes'. Best. -p

[@erickorte9823]

I hope you had a great day recording. The excitement and anticipation before recording and playing is amazing. It is why musicians endure the travel the time away from home no sleep etc. Making music is a magical endeavor

[@jeffreyallan4525]

Leland, thank you for your channel. I watch it daily. I really enjoy it.

[@Robsheph]

Excellent video this is what its all about well done beardy boy well done

[@michaelahern3006]

Well, that was fun! Thanks

[@stanesposito2664]

This is amazing! Thanks for the tour. Lari rocks!

[@timothycampbell9994]

The Old Spaghetti Factory, brown butter and mizithra cheese and fresh baked (hot) Italian bread any time I was around Gower and Sunset they have meatless sauce too ,oh I hate that studio did a religious14 hour session all in 3/4 or 6/8 total not consecutive ( love your channel )

[@deepeeonline]

Amazing studio and thanks for recording the video Leland. Bill Putnam built the studio for those who recognize his name :)

[@beyekind12another]

So awesome! I’ve seen black and white photos of thee wrecking crew in that studio and when Glen Campbell was a studio musician with them. It is so great to have that continuity in a world where things change eventually. How special for you! It must seem in someways that time has stood still when you walk into Studio A. Thank you so much for sharing that with us!

[@NyMyers64]

Thanks for the fantastic tour Lee, really enjoyed it. Have a great rest of your day!

[@elenbrandt290]

A thrill to see it again - Thank you Leland!!!

[@richardlynch5632]

Very cool😎👍 Have fun 😎👍 😎👍❤🖖 Love brother

[@nathanpickett202]

What a treat to see this from the inside! Thank you Leland!

[@ginoseriacopi1555]

I loved your tour! Thanks!

[@JimFothergill]

Lee I can’t thank you enough for taking us on this tour again! I can only dream of walking around there! Just too damn cool! Thank you!

[@douglasdegraff8335]

Thank you Leland for the personal tour of your first studio. Great History lesson for me. Doug

[@teleman929]

Thanks Leland. I always enjoy these glimpses behind the curtain..

[@Payne2view]

I always enjoy a look around a recording studio. Thanks for videoing that.

[@844jimthompson]

Thanks for the tour Lee..I enjoy them..I have never been in one..Interesting..

[@DaxLLM]

Very cool Lee... Not many people get to see a recording studio, especially with that kinda history!

[@jamesbeshears6717]

Pretty amazing to see the birth place of some of the music that helped me through my yesterdays✌🕉🍏🎶

[@shoop4040]

Priceless Memories of music history. Music that has been stamped into recordings that will last forever. Thank you so much for the tour- In my teen years, I was lucky to go on tour with Carlos Santana Buddy Miles was his singer at the time. I Also Watched Van Halen, Huey Lewis and the news as well as Jefferson starship rehearse at the Plant Studios in Sausalito in the '80s. When I attended a Genesis concert or Phil Collins concert I always watched you play.

[@angusorvid8840]

What makes a studio great is not just the equipment, the soundboard, mics, etc., but the variety of recording environments and the general upkeep. I've seen studios with cobwebs growing over the monitors. Not a good sign. A good studio is a living, breathing thing with a personality of its own.

[@robertkerr9738]

Thank you so much for sharing this stuff with us. It is so amazing to hear you show us all these amazing places and tell us so many stories. It truly means a lot.

[@mikemedina9902]

Hello from Puerto Rico Mr. Sklar, I just want to thank you for sharing this amazing video. For all of us that love music this kind of videos are a treasure . Thank you once again and keep them coming!

[@BP-ww9fp]

If those studio walls could talk, the stories they'd tell! Love seeing all the photos, gold records, etc.

[@SONORSQ2guy]

Great video thanks for sharing 👍

[@arnejuergens7457]

Wow! Thank you very much for showing the inside place(s) of music history a normal person would never be able to see!!! Very cool! Best wishes from rainy Hamburg to sunny Sunset Boulevard!

[@ARGBlackCloud]

Wow has that place got hstory !! Pretty dam cool Leland !!! , but then again so are you !!!

[@totogroove]

Thanks so much for the tour. And now there’s Lari on my iPhone 🎵 🙏

[@rickenbacker315]

What history this place has!! Incredible place... Thanks Leland..

[@danlampton]

Wonderful. I love her music. Looking forward to hearing the final product.

[@daveg4495]

Walking through history with a musical icon & great influence to many!