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The 1970s recording studio was where magic happened and these 20 iconic photographs captured rock legends in their creative element. Long before Pro Tools and digital recording, these artists were laying down tracks that would define generations, and somehow photographers managed to be there for those lightning-in-a-bottle moments. From Black Sabbath perfecting their guitar solos to Fleetwood Mac working through the emotional chaos that became "Rumours," these images show the sweat, passion, and pure artistry that went into creating the soundtrack of a decade. You can almost hear the music coming through these photos – the concentration on their faces, the vintage equipment, and that unmistakable 70s vibe that made rock and roll feel like the most important thing in the world.

#1

Robert Fripp, David Bowie, And Brian Eno At Hansa Studio By The Wall, Berlin. (1977)

1970s rock legends posing in studio, showcasing raw images that reveal how they created their greatest music.

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    #2

    Patti Smith In The Studio, 1970s

    1970s rock legend in a raw studio moment, holding electric guitar and wearing a white shirt in black and white photo.

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A legend even before anyone heard of her.

    #3

    Patti Smith At Electric Lady Studios, 1974

    1970s rock legend in a recording studio surrounded by vintage audio equipment during music creation session.

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    #4

    The Rolling Stones Are Pictured Here Recording "Sympathy For The Devil" At Olympic Studios In Barnes, London

    1970s rock legends playing acoustic guitars in a vibrant studio, capturing raw moments of music creation.

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    Nova Rook
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    An amazing song and so evocative.

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    #5

    David Bowie And Mick Ronson Working At Chateau D’herouville (1973)

    1970s rock legends collaborating in a recording studio surrounded by vintage audio equipment and instruments.

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    Der Kommissar
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Several bands recorded here, including Tull, Floyd and Sir Elton, who called it Honky Chateau. The Grateful Dead played a gig here.

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    #6

    Stevie Wonder And Jeff Beck In The Studio, 1972

    Three 1970s rock legends in a casual studio setting, collaborating and creating iconic music together.

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    Der Kommissar
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beck look-alike drummer Cozy Powell on far right.

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    #7

    Pink Floyd Worked Out Of A Few Recording Studios In 1967

    1970s rock legends posing behind vintage studio mixing console during a music recording session in black and white.

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    #8

    Marvin Gaye And Kim Weston In Studio A, 1970s

    1970s rock legends working together in a vintage recording studio wearing headphones and singing into microphones.

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    #9

    Bee Gees Are Recording At A London Studio, 1970

    1970s rock legends in a studio session playing piano and discussing music creation in a casual recording environment.

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    #10

    Steely Dan In The Studio In 1973

    1970s rock legends in a recording studio surrounded by audio equipment, creating their greatest music in a raw session.

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    #11

    Jimmy Buffett At Woodland Sound Studio On June 25, 1974

    Black and white photo of 1970s rock legend wearing headphones and singing into a studio microphone during recording session

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    #12

    Lou Reed In The Studio Mixing Take No Prisoners, 1978

    1970s rock legend Lou Reed relaxing in a studio surrounded by sound equipment and a mannequin head.

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    #13

    Ray Manzarek, Keyboardist For The Doors, In His Studio, Circa 1970s

    1970s rock legend in a vintage studio surrounded by keyboards and synthesizers creating iconic music.

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    Major Harris
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    and he played the keyboards for weird al's "doors" style parody, "craigslist"! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4sALru9IJk&list=RDy4sALru9IJk&start_radio=1

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    #14

    Lindsey Buckingham And Stevie Nicks In The Studio During Recording Sessions For ‘Rumours’, 1976

    1970s rock legends in a raw studio session, with a guitarist and singer creating iconic music in an intimate setting

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    Nova Rook
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Taylor Swift sings about her ex boyfriends. Nikki makes the ex boyfriend sing the lyrics about him while she plays guitar.

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    #15

    Deep Purple In The Studio, 1970

    1970s rock legends posing with guitars in a studio, capturing raw moments of how they created their greatest music.

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    Lowrider 56
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got to see them up close at the California Jam. It was awesome too.

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    #16

    Black Sabbath In The Studio Recording Paranoid, 1970

    1970s rock legends in studio session with instruments, discussing music creation during their greatest recording phase.

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    #17

    Pink Floyd Working In George Sand Studio In Hérouville, Feb. 1972

    1970s rock legends creating music in a vintage studio with guitars, amplifiers, and recording equipment in a relaxed setting.

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    Uncle Panda
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This looks suspiciously like somebody's mom's basement.

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    #18

    Fleetwood Mac In The Studio In 1975

    1970s rock legends in a studio setting, casually posing and preparing to create iconic music in a raw, vintage atmosphere.

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    Maim
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "These two. These two right here are the problem!"

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    #19

    Quincy Jones In His Studio, 1979

    1970s rock legend holding a vinyl record in a recording studio surrounded by vintage audio equipment.

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    #20

    Jon Lord At Columbia Studios In Los Angeles, 1975

    1970s rock legend playing keyboard in a studio, wearing vintage clothing and smiling during music creation session.

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