Trident Studios

Trident Studios had been constructed in 1967 by Norman and Barry Sheffield. The Sheffield brothers had a relaxed working attitude, but also emphasised high standards of audio engineering

My Name is Jack by Manfred Mann was recorded at Trident in March 1968 and helped launch the studio’s reputation – its state-of-the-art recording equipment helped attract many major artists to record there.

Later that year, the Beatles recorded their single Hey Jude there and part of their ‘White Album’ sessions. Other well-known albums and songs recorded at Trident include Elton John’s Your Song, David Bowie’s Hunky Dory and Ziggy Stardust, Lou Reed’s Transformer, Carly Simon’s No Secrets, and three early Queen albums.

As part of the studio set up, Norman Sheffield leased a C. Bechstein grand piano from a company called Jake Samuel Pianos. The piano was hand made and already over 100 years old in 1968.

Compared to other Bechstein grand pianos, the strings were tightly wound and needed the pianist to hit the keys harder. It had a unique tone and was present at Trident Studios until 1981 when they closed down.

The piano is a legend in music history. You can hear the same instrument on so many late 1960s and 1970s tracks recorded at Trident. It is has a distinct sound and you can tell when the Trident Bechstein is being used.

Other artists recorded at Trident including the Bee Gees, Chris de Burgh, Frank Zappa, Free, Genesis, Golden Earring, James Taylor, Joan Armatrading, Joe Cocker, Kiss, Peter Gabriel, the Rolling Stones, Rush, Soft Cell, Supertramp, Thin Lizzy, Tina Turner, T.Rex and Yes – Rick Wakeman was the studio’s session pianist at the beginning and Wakeman can be heard notably as the pianist on Hunky Dory.





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