A&M SOUNDSTAGE / CHARLIE CHAPLIN SOUNDSTAGE

HISTORY OF THE CHARLIE CHAPLIN SOUNDSTAGE

The size of the soundstage and its versatility lent it to be used for promotional films (the forerunner to music videos), television specials, large group recordings and tour rehearsals.

The first time the soundstage was seen on TV was in 1967 when the Tijuana Brass filmed part of its first television special there. Parts of all of the Brass specials were filmed on the soundstage. From 1971-1979 the television show "Soul Train" was recorded on the Chaplin Soundstage. 

Probably the most famous tour rehearsal held on the soundstage was Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen . In the early 1970s, George Harrison, Billy Preston and the Maharishi Orchestra rehearsed for their tour on the soundstage.

The soundstage was used for remote recording of large group projects. These included:
      * The quadrophonic version of Rick Wakeman's Journey to the Center of the Earth album.
      * Carpenters with the Overbudget Orchestra (Los Angeles Philharmonic) recorded "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" in front of an audience of music journalists in 1977.
      * In 1978, Herb Alpert and Hugh Masekela's The Main Event Live album.

In the mid-1970s and again in 1980, the soundstage was extensively revamped. There were changes to the roof, the floor was returned to its original concrete surface, a lighting rigging system was installed, bay patch, air condition plus the addition of dressing rooms, dining areas and recreation sectors. One of the first projects after the upgrade was a live broadcast of the Yellow Magic Orchestra that was beamed to Japan's Fuji television. Interior shots for the TV movie "The Gambler" starring Kenny Rogers were filmed on the soundstage. In 1980, the performances used in the "Rocky Road" television series were filmed on the soundstage. Over 50 bands were filmed including Missing Persons, the Bus Boys, the Dickies, Tower Of Power appeared on the show during its two seasons.

Many A&M promotional films and music videos were shot on the soundstage. They include:

Carpenters "Close to You"
Carpenters "Those Good Old Dreams," "Touch Me When We're Dancing" and "Beechwood 4-5789 (1981),
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police in June 1983,
Jeff Beck's "Ambitious" (1985)
Kim Carnes "Bette Davis Eyes
Michael Jackson's "Liberian Girl" (1987)
Billy Joel "Allentown"
Joni Mitchell "Chinese Cafe"
Vital Signs "The Boys and Girls Are Doing It" from 1989
Weird Al Yankovic's "You Don't Love Me Anymore" (1992)

The soundstage also hosted countless listening parties for new A&M products as well as other events. One event was held in May 1993, an exhibition of art to benefit abused children. The event was free and open to the public.

By 1980 A&M ran the Chaplin Soundstage as a stand alone business because it was so popular with artists and the facility could handle projects that could not be done elsewhere. Because the Soundstage had a direct patch to all of A&M's studios artists could perform live while recording at the same time. 

SOURCE:

Refurbished A&M Chaplin Stage Ready for 'Debut.' Sam Sutherland. Record World, November 1, 1980.