Legendary recording studios: Electric Lady Studios

The early '70s. After barnstorming success with four albums rooted in the blues that would go down in history, Led Zeppelin wanted to go one step further and create something surprising and important. This ambition meant being where everyone wanted to be, in Jimi Hendrix's recently opened Electric Lady studios. This is where they would lay down the mixes for their famed 'Houses of the Holy'. Half a century later, at the start of this decade, Rosalía was improvising on the upright piano in Studio B, added some distortion and some classic reggaeton beats from the library of Mr Naisgai, and created "Saoko" in the same Electric Lady Studios.

Greenwich Village in the heart of Manhattan is home to studios custom-built for a legend, Jimi Hendrix, who unfortunately scarcely had time to enjoy them. After a few weeks of sessions, the guitarist travelled to the UK to take part in the Isle of Wight festival, and this is where he would come to his fateful and premature end.

In 1968, Jimi Hendrix and his manager, Michael Jeffery bought The Generation, a place Hendrix had frequented where jam sessions lasted into the early hours, but which had recently closed. The original idea was to revitalise it, change its name and continue as a gig venue or a cross between a venue and a studio. But Eddie Kramer and Jim Marron convinced Hendrix to transform it into just a recording studio, which would be designed by a young John Storyk. The opening, on 26 August 1970, attracted stellar guests, including Eric Clapton, Ron Wood and Patti Smith. Nobody wanted to miss the opportunity to discover the new home of the musical revolutionary Hendrix or the magic that could happen there.

Since then, many recordings made at Electric Lady Studios have quickly become milestones in the history of rock. These include 'Combat Rock', by The Clash, the band's fifth album and the last to feature the classic lineup with Mick Jones and Topper Headon. This was recorded in November and December 1981, although they had already worked on their 'Sandinista!' album here.

Patti Smith's 'Horses' is another classic. It was recorded in the late summer of 1975 and produced by John Cale, with whom Smith and her band had a tortuous relationship. The closing track, "Elegie", was recorded on the fifth anniversary of Hendrix's death. This song was also dedicated to three other influences on Smith who died too young: Jim Morrison, Brian Jones and Janis Joplin.

The fame and charm of these studios would continue to attract talent from the most diverse genres. Genius calls to genius, no matter the outlook. Other artists who have passed through the Electric Lady Studies include Daft Punk, who would record what would be their swan song, the multi-award winning 'Random Access Memories', between Paris, California and New York. This is where they recorded 'Get Lucky' with Pharrell Williams and guitarist Nile Rodgers.

Electric Lady has four studios, of which Studio A is among the largest and most versatile, with impressive collections of vintage microphones and instruments. Studio C has been the home of engineer Tom Helhirst for many years, working with artists such as Bowie, Adele and Frank Ocean.

More recently, in addition to hosting artists including Rosalía, the studio has been used to record several live albums, with 'Live at Electric Lady' recordings ranging from Patti Smith, who was there at the outset, to more recent artists including Clairo, The Raconteurs, Japanese Breakfast and Father John Misty.

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