In 1979, producer George Martin opened AIR (Associated Independent Recording)Studio on the Caribbean island of Montserrat to go along with the one he opened in London in 1970.
In the 10 years it operated, the list of musicians who recorded there included Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Dire Straits, The Police, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Rolling Stones, Marvin Gaye,Rush, Black Sabbath, Duran Duran and Jimmy Buffett.
Sadly, in 1989, shortly after the Stones recorded their Steel Wheels album there, Hurricane Hugo devastated the island and the studio was forced to close.
On July 26th, a documentary on the studio, Under the Volcano, will be available to buy or rent.
Through personal accounts, never-before-seen footage and a music soundtrack that is second to none, Under the Volcano is "the definitive account of the place that stumbled upon the perfect storm of talent, technology and isolation, creating music that would live on long after the last tape rolled."
It features interviews with most of the artists who recorded there, including Sting and Stewart Copeland from The Police, Mark Knopfler, Tony Iommi, Verdine White from EWF, and Jimmy Buffett.