Mountain Studio, the unlikely recording venue that made Montreux a rock capital

In an era where a laptop can suffice for recording an album, it's challenging to grasp the significance of dedicated recording studios in the 1970s. Some studios became synonymous with iconic artists, much like Abbey Road with the Beatles or Electric Lady with Jimi Hendrix. The Mountain Studio in Montreux, Switzerland, holds a legendary place in music history, indelibly linked to the band Queen.

However, the studio's legacy is far richer than just its association with Queen. Featuring a prestigious Neve 8048 console and boasting acoustics designed by the renowned architect Tom Hidley, the Mountain Studio was equipped with 48 recording tracks, an extraordinary capacity for its time. It was conceived to host major international productions, appearing almost disproportionately advanced for Montreux.

At the time, the studio's capabilities placed it in competition with approximately 30 similar facilities worldwide, primarily located in English-speaking music hubs like London, New York, Los Angeles, and Memphis. This positioned Montreux as an unexpected but significant player on the global music recording map, attracting artists seeking state-of-the-art facilities.