NEW YORK (Billboard) - The legacy of Ray Charles (news) is manifested in his Los Angeles recording studio, RPM International.
Despite his death last week from liver disease, the studio, which became a historic cultural landmark at an April 30 dedication ceremony, which doubled as Charles' last public appearance, will likely live on as testament to his genius.
Charles' swan song, "Genius Loves Company," a collection of duets due Aug. 31 on Concord Records, was recorded primarily at RPM, according to the artist's longtime personal producer/engineer, Terry Howard.
"I tried to do as much as I could there," Howard says. As Charles' health deteriorated, he adds, "I knew the best thing for Ray to be comfortable was for him to be home. I did my best so that when artists came in to be with Ray, they had a one-on-one experience with him, (being) next to him when he sang.
"I kept the isolation to a minimum -- to me, the experience was more important than capturing 'a perfect sound,"' Howard adds. "We still kept the isolation correct so we could get a good recording, but having the contact -- like Willie Nelson (news) being able to put his hand on Ray's shoulder and talk to him as they worked on the song -- was great."
RPM's history mirrors that of modern recording. When it was built in 1960, Howard explains, RPM featured a console built by recording pioneer Bill Putnam, founder of Universal Audio and Universal Recording. In the late '60s, Howard says, Atlantic/freelance engineer/producer Tom Dowd built a console for RPM.
"In the '70s, it got changed again to a 24-track tape machine and 24-track-style board," Howard says. "In '92, we had the biggest renovation, when we changed to 48-track digital. That's how the studio is today, but we still have some of the original microphones from 1960.
"With it being a landmark, it should endure and hopefully be something the public will be able to enjoy," he says. "Just like Motown in Detroit, this building is a significant landmark, not just to the community but to the music industry itself."
Reuters/Billboard
Despite his death last week from liver disease, the studio, which became a historic cultural landmark at an April 30 dedication ceremony, which doubled as Charles' last public appearance, will likely live on as testament to his genius.
Charles' swan song, "Genius Loves Company," a collection of duets due Aug. 31 on Concord Records, was recorded primarily at RPM, according to the artist's longtime personal producer/engineer, Terry Howard.
"I tried to do as much as I could there," Howard says. As Charles' health deteriorated, he adds, "I knew the best thing for Ray to be comfortable was for him to be home. I did my best so that when artists came in to be with Ray, they had a one-on-one experience with him, (being) next to him when he sang.
"I kept the isolation to a minimum -- to me, the experience was more important than capturing 'a perfect sound,"' Howard adds. "We still kept the isolation correct so we could get a good recording, but having the contact -- like Willie Nelson (news) being able to put his hand on Ray's shoulder and talk to him as they worked on the song -- was great."
RPM's history mirrors that of modern recording. When it was built in 1960, Howard explains, RPM featured a console built by recording pioneer Bill Putnam, founder of Universal Audio and Universal Recording. In the late '60s, Howard says, Atlantic/freelance engineer/producer Tom Dowd built a console for RPM.
"In the '70s, it got changed again to a 24-track tape machine and 24-track-style board," Howard says. "In '92, we had the biggest renovation, when we changed to 48-track digital. That's how the studio is today, but we still have some of the original microphones from 1960.
"With it being a landmark, it should endure and hopefully be something the public will be able to enjoy," he says. "Just like Motown in Detroit, this building is a significant landmark, not just to the community but to the music industry itself."
Reuters/Billboard