Shangra-la Recording Studio Location In Malibu, CA

In the early 1970’s Rob Fraboni designed and built the recording studios at Shangri La to the precise specifications of Bob Dylan and the Band. As president and co-owner of the studio he recorded albums for many artists, including “Northern Lights-Southern Cross” for The Band. The Drummer for The Band, Levon Helm described Shangri La as “a clubhouse and studio where we and our friends could record albums and cross-pollinate one another’s music.“

During this period, Eric Clapton spent nearly three months here, recording with the likes of Bob Dylan (who was living in a tent in the rose garden), Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, Pete Townshend, Joe Cocker, Billy Preston and Ronnie Wood. It was with this all-star cast that Clapton’s “No Reason To Cry” album was created.

In Clapton’s biography “Crossroads“, he describes the sessions at Shangri La as an intensely creative period, where all-night jam sessions and wild parties were the norm.

In the mid 1970’s, Robbie Robertson and Martin Scorsese used Shangri La as a location and rehearsal studio for the film “The Last Waltz.”

In 2006, musician and producer Eric Lynn became the current house engineer and studio manager. Applying the old-school studio style he learned from his time working in Jackson Browne’s Groovemaster’s studio, Eric finely tuned the functionality of Shangri La.

In 2011, Rick Rubin purchased the studio, and under his management, the studio has evolved into a modern facility.

Notable Recordings made at Shangra-La:

The Last Waltz by The Band
Islands by The Band
The Basement Tapes by Bob Dylan & The Band
Rick Danko by Rick Danko
Green Light by Bonnie Raitt
Shangri-la by Mark Knopfler
Weezer by Weezer
Death Magnetic by Metallica
Good God’s Urge by Porno For Pyros
I’m With You by Red Hot Chili Peppers
No Reason To Cry by Eric Clapton
Peace Trail by Neil Young
La Futura by ZZ Top
13 by Black Sabbath
The End by Black Sabbath
Songs Of Experience by U2
Youth And Young Manhood by Kings of Leon
Weezer by Weezer