The Studio Two presentation will include a fascinating talk on “80 Years of Recording at Abbey Road Studios” by “Recording the Beatles” authors Brian Kehew and Kevin Ryan. The talk will utilise rare archive photos, film and audio to explore the studio’s decades of landmark recordings and sonic innovations. Artists discussed will include Sir Edward Elgar, The Shadows, Peter Sellers, Helen Shapiro, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Hollies, The Zombies, the Swingin’ Blue Jeans and Kate Bush. There will also be time to consider the magical film scores recorded over the years at Abbey Road, including “Star Wars,” “Lord of the Rings,” and “Harry Potter.”

Visitors will also be able to enjoy an exhibition of vintage instruments, microphones, and studio hardware used to create classic tracks.

Tickets for the event went on sale today, price £75 via www.seetickets.com

Abbey Road Studios is located at 3 Abbey Road, London, NW8 9AY.

Update – The March 10 events are sold out, but two extra sessions have been announced for March 11.

The move follows reports that Abbey Road owners EMI were planning to sell the studios.

Culture Minister, Margaret Hodge, said:

“Music – of whichever genre – is the thread that follows us through all our lives and Abbey Road Studios have produced some of the very best music in the world. It’s a testament to both the importance of music in people’s lives as well as the passion this kind of issue stirs up, that so much interest has been generated by the perceived threat to the future of Abbey Road.

“Whether your tastes are for classical, hard rock or pop music, one of your favourites is more than likely to have recorded at Abbey Road. My favourite song of all time, “If I fell” by The Beatles, was recorded there in 1964, and to have played a part in preserving this world-famous venue is as exciting for me as hearing that song for the first time. Well, almost!”

Abbey Road is most famous for being where most of The Beatles’ albums and singles were recorded between 1962 and 1970. It was therefore no surprise that Paul McCartney was among those calling for the building to be saved when the recent speculation over its future arose. Andrew Lloyd Webber also spoke out and suggested himself as a potential buyer.

The new listing status will mean that, while changes to the interior are not prohibited, any proposed alterations must respect the character of the site.

Source: Department for Culture, Media and Sport