Power Station (recording studio)

Power Station (recording studio)
Americasroof · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Power Station
Caption	Exterior of the Power Station facility in Manhattan
Location	Manhattan, New York City
Founded	1977
Founder	Tony Bongiovi; Bob Walters
Status	Active

Power Station (recording studio) was a landmark recording studio in Manhattan that became central to the development of pop, rock, disco, jazz, and hip hop production from the late 1970s onward. Founded by Tony Bongiovi and Bob Walters, the studio hosted sessions for artists associated with Columbia Records, Warner Bros. Records, Arista Records, and Epic Records, shaping landmark albums and singles that influenced the sound of New York City and global popular music.

History

The studio opened in 1977 amid a vibrant New York recording scene that included studios such as Electric Lady Studios, Record Plant (New York City), Sigma Sound Studios and labels like Motown, Atlantic Records, and Island Records. Early clientele included musicians connected with Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Phil Collins, and Peter Gabriel, as the Power Station quickly became linked to engineers and producers from A&M Records, RCA Records, Geffen Records, and CBS Records. During the 1980s the studio weathered industry shifts prompted by the rise of MTV, the consolidation of Sony Music Entertainment, and technological change driven by companies such as Neve Electronics and SSL (Solid State Logic). After renovations and ownership changes involving firms like Avatar Studios and investors tied to City National Bank, the facility persisted into the 1990s and 2000s, surviving trends from grunge to EDM and collaborations with artists on Universal Music Group and independent labels.

Facilities and Equipment

Located in a former Con Edison power plant, the studio featured multiple rooms modeled on classic acoustical spaces used by studios like Capitol Studios and Abbey Road Studios. The control rooms were outfitted with consoles from Neve, SSL (Solid State Logic), and outboard gear from Urei, API, Teletronix LA-2A, dbx, and Roland. Monitoring systems included loudspeakers by Yamaha and ATC, while microphones from Neumann GmbH, Shure, AKG, and Sennheiser were standard for tracking vocals and instruments. The facility housed isolated live rooms suitable for ensembles associated with Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and session musicians who worked for producers tied to Quincy Jones, Arif Mardin, and T Bone Burnett. Analog tape machines from Studer and Ampex were complemented by early digital recorders and samplers from Sony, Akai, and Fairlight Instruments, enabling hybrid workflows adopted by artists signed to EMI and Virgin Records.

Notable Recordings and Artists

Sessions at the studio produced recordings for major figures across genres, including albums by Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Steely Dan, Duran Duran, Madonna, James Brown, and Bob Dylan. The facility was chosen for projects involving producers and artists linked to Phil Collins, Paul Simon, Sting, Luther Vandross, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, and Prince. Landmark records and singles tracked or mixed there include releases on Columbia Records, Warner Bros. Records, Arista Records, and Epic Records that became hits on charts curated by Billboard and promoted via MTV rotation. The studio also hosted sessions for avant-garde and jazz artists associated with Blue Note Records and ECM Records, drawing musicians such as John McLaughlin, Cassandra Wilson, Wayne Shorter, and Pat Metheny.

Producers and Engineers

Producers and engineers who worked extensively at the studio included Tony Bongiovi, Bob Clearmountain, Phil Ramone, Arif Mardin, Nigel Godrich, Trevor Horn, Daniel Lanois, Tchad Blake, and Tom Dowd—many of whom maintained relationships with labels like Island Records, Atlantic Records, RCA Records, and Columbia Records. Mixing and mastering professionals affiliated with companies such as Masterdisk and Sterling Sound used the Power Station rooms for tracking before final processing. Session personnel who frequently appeared included arrangers and instrumentalists connected to The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, The Wrecking Crew, and orchestral contractors who had previously worked for Orchestra Hall and major film composers.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The studio's influence extended beyond recordings into television specials, film soundtracks, and award-winning releases recognized by Grammy Awards and charted by Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. Its reputation helped cement New York City's status alongside Los Angeles and London as global recording capitals—a narrative tied to institutions like Carnegie Hall and media outlets such as Rolling Stone, The New York Times, NME (New Musical Express), and Pitchfork. Alumni and projects associated with the studio have been cited in biographies of artists from David Bowie to Madonna, histories of labels like Columbia Records and Island Records, and documentaries produced by networks including BBC and HBO. The studio's rooms and aesthetic influenced later facilities such as Groucho Club Studios and boutique studios operated by artists on Concord Music Group and indie imprints, securing its legacy in recording lore and popular music scholarship.

Category:Recording studios in New York City Category:Music of New York City