We have divisions in both Panama City and Cebu City, but Creative Asylum’s world headquarters is located in the heart of Hollywood. And when we say the heart, we’re talking the bleeding-but-still-beating heart, not some tourist reproduction at Universal Studios or a wax museum facsimile. We park at the ArcLight, formerly the Cinerama Dome and walk past world-famous Amoeba Records to get in the front door, first strolling through the courtyard where a few scenes from Casablanca were filmed. But what’s wildly unique about LA is it’s complete indifference to it’s own entertainment history. It’s a geek’s game, generally, tracking locations and noting what was filmed where and when. Luckily, we also happen to be fully staffed by such geeks, and therefore have decided to occasionally post about local entertainment history that’s within stumbling distance from our front door.

If you have to drive, it doesn’t count. We’re talking a stone’s throw only.

Which leads us nicely to Sunset Sound on the corner of Sunset and __. When the urge strikes to eat healthy, many CA folks can be seen strolling towards SUBWAY for a 6″ turkey and some chips (to counteract the healthy part of the meal, of course). On the way, we walk by a nondescript building with a very 70’s sign that says “Sunset Sound.” We grab the grub and saunter back.

But what’s gone on inside that grey little building has changed the world, quite literally, especially if you’re a music fan, a degenerate partier, or both. Because inside is where at least a few of your life’s most memorable soundtracks were recorded.

We’ll get to the rock and roll in a bit, but let’s start with with something cuddly—Bambi. Yes, the soundtrack to Disney’s Bambi was done at Sunset. So was 101 Dalmations and Mary Poppins.

But enough of the kid’s stuff. Then came the not-so-wholesome. The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Steet overdubs. Dirty. The Doors’ first two albums. Led Zepplin, Elton John, The Beach Boys (Just a little album called Pet Sounds), Van Halen, Warren Zevon and on and on and on. Here’s a partial list of the music and musicians that have “worked” at Sunset Sound, leaving ashes, empties, and some amazing music:

Studio I
Van Halen, Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Macy Gray, Bee Gees, Doobie Bros., Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Oingo Boingo, Luis Miguel, Rolling Stones, Dave Grusin, Crosby, Stills, Nash, Lee Ritenour, Fourplay, Richard Thompson, Yes, Brian Wilson, Beach Boys, Annette Funicello, Carly Simon, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Bangles, Fishbone, Randy Newman, Sly & Family Stone, “Fabulous Baker Boys”, Vonda Shepard, Tom Petty, “The Firm”, Sheena Easton, Patti Austin, Aaron Neville, “Mary Poppins”, Sam Cooke, The Turtles, “101 Dalmations”, Lovin Spoonful, Buffalo Springfield, Janis Joplin, Genesis, Kenny Loggins, Jackson Browne, “My Best Friend»s Wedding”, Reel Big Fish, “Dr. Doolittle”, “The Truman Show”, “Tootsie”

Studio 2
Van Halen, Led Zeppelin IV, Sheryl Crow, Smashing Pumpkins, Matthew Sweet, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Celine Dion, Earl Klugh, Alanis Morrisette, Michael Jackson, Toto, Lita Ford, Robert Palmer, “Dick Tracy”, “Dune”, “Days Of Thunder”, “Rocky II & IV”, Ry Cooder, Richard Marx, Aretha Franklin, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Crowded House, Bob Dylan, Jennifer Holliday, Olivia Newton-John, Melissa Manchester, Barbra Streisand, Roberta Flack, Rick James, “Major League”, “Great Balls Of Fire”, Michael Feinstein, “Wayne’s World”, “Wayne»s World II”, Alice Cooper (Muscle 73), Leo Sayer, “The Waterboy”, “The Big Lebowski”, “Pleasantville”, Doyle Bramhall, Weezer, “The Prince Of Egypt”, DDT, Poison, Andy Williams

Studio 3
The Surfers, Elliott Smith, Social Distortion, Sugar Ray, Mary Lou Lord, “Midnight In The Garden Of Good & Evil”, Earth Wind & Fire, Prince, Dan Fogelberg, Hiroshima, Rancid, k d lang, The Wallflowers, Beck, Mr. Mister, Stevie Nicks, Belinda Carlisle, Kix, Desert Rose Band, Air Supply, Counting Crows, Deborah Harry, Jody Watley, Neil Diamond, Rita Coolidge, Lionel Ritchie, Sam Phillips, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Jones, Van Dyke Parks, Gillian Welch, The Refreshments, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Thisway, Melissa Etheridge

If you can’t find at least one band you don’t love in that list, we then apologize for wasting your time. Grab a sub sandwich and walk on by. But if you’re a fan of music history, it’s right around the corner. Stop by, we’ll take you there.

Check out the “history” page on the studio’s web site.