Remember those reports about EMI possibly selling Abbey Road Studios? Now it looks as if the recording studios might be preserved as a piece of British history.
Financial Times reported earlier this week that the cash-strapped record label was considering selling the historic studios where The Beatles recorded most of their music.
Now the National Trust, a conservation organization in that works, in part, to preserve historic buildings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, might step in to save Abbey Road.
As reports of a possible sale emerged, Chris Evans, host of BBC’s “Newsnight” called for the studio’s preservation.
But Evans isn’t the only public figure urging protection for the legendary studios The Beatles called home, where benchmark albums such as Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon and Al Stewart’s The Year Of The Cat were also recorded. More than a few notable public figures with their own Abbey Road histories have also called for the studio’s preservation.
“There are a few people who have been associated with the studio who were talking about mounting some bid to save it,” former Beatle Paul McCartney said while appearing on “Newsnight.” “I hope they can do something. I have got so many memories there with the Beatles. It is a great studio. It would be lovely if somebody could get a thing together to save it.”
Apparently, the National Trust feels the same way. The organization says it will hold talks with Sir Paul. One of the possible scenarios is to keep Abbey Road as a working studio, but to improve the public’s access to the studios.
“It’s not often that the public spontaneously suggests we acquire a building,” a National Trust representative said. “Abbey Road studios appear to be very dear to the nation’s heart – to the extent that we will take soundings as to whether a campaign is desirable or even feasible.”
The representative also said the National Trust would seek public input before making a decision.
The value of Abbey Road – located in the upscale neighborhood of St. John’s Wood, is estimated to worth more than £10 million ($16 million).
Click here to read the BBC report.
Click here for the National Trust Web site.