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   t has been said that those who can find Shangri La will discover inner peace, love and prosperity. So wrote author James Hilton in his 1933 classic, Lost Horizon, where he portrays the journey to find a mythical lamasery high in the mountains of Tibet. The novel was later made into a film, starring Jane Wyatt, Ronald Colman and Margo Albert. After the films success, it was Margo who built this rolling ranch house nestled in the hills of Zuma Beach, and called it Shangri La.
 There is a mythical quality to the property, and it took on many forms before becoming one of the most renowned recording studios in the history of rock music. For a time, it was an upscale bordello, rumored to have hosted the Hollywood elite of the 1950's. In the early 1960's TV's Mr. Ed was filmed and stabled at this timeless ranch above the sea.
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. 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', widely hailed as one of the greatest concert films of all time. There are several scenes that feature the studio, which gave the public a rare look into this famed location.
   
The studio continued to work well into the mid 1990's. However, the many years of action had taken its toll on the studio, and it was on the brink of being torn down by land developers. Current owner Beej Chaney, singer and guitar player for the 1980's new-wave band, 'The Suburbs', bought the property and poured his heart into the renovation of the studio. With tremendous love and vision, Beej brought new life to Shangri La.
 As Shangri La was being renovated and revived, many great engineers and artists helped keep the ball rolling. Beej brought on Jim Nipar and Pete Strobl, who both played major roles as studio designers, engineers and curators. Technical engineer Rob Harvey, of World Pro Audio, customized the API console and currently maintains the vintage electronics. This combined effort made it possible for Mark Knophler to write and record his 2004 release, 'Shangri La', and for Kings of Leon to record their debut album, 'Youth and Young Manhood', at this paradise by the beach.
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. Under Chaney's ownership and Lynn's management, the studio has evolved into a modern facility, while continuing to maintain its analog roots and classic spirit. |
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