EMI Group Archive Trust: Current Project
Abbey Road Oral History Project
On the 12th November 2006, Abbey Road Studios will celebrate its 75th anniversary. If the walls could speak, they would tell stories of change. Where once there were lathes cutting wax blanks, there are now computers writing to hard drives. In the place where Sir Edward Elgar once conducted Pomp and Circumstance, now stands John Williams conducting Star Wars. And ultimately cultural history was changed with the emergence of The Beatles.
As a fitting tribute to the world's first purpose built and best loved recording studio complex, the EMI Group Archive Trust, in association with Abbey Road, are conducting a very special Oral History Project.
Over the last 20 years Oral History has emerged as a powerful means of preserving the memories and life experiences of people. It is a vital tool for understanding our past; collecting information directly from those who experienced it and capturing stories which would otherwise remain untold, and ultimately lost.
The material we collect through these audio interviews will be used in a variety of ways and made available to as wide an audience as possible. Initially, they will be available free of charge, via the internet on the Abbey Road Studios website ( www.abbeyroad.com ).