Hard-up EMI seeks buyer for Abbey Road studios

AP

 

EMI puts Abbey Road studios up for sale: FT AFP/File – A print of the famous Abbey Road Beatles record cover is pictured at the same pedestrian crossing on …

By JILL LAWLESS, Associated Press Writer Jill Lawless, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 34 mins ago

 

LONDON – Cash-strapped music company EMI Group Ltd. is seeking a buyer for Abbey Road studios, where The Beatles recorded some of their most famous songs, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday.

 

The person said talks had been going on for several months, but a buyer had not yet been found. The individual spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are private.

 

A spokesman for EMI refused to comment on the sale bid, which could raise tens of millions of dollars for the label.

 

EMI, whose artists include Coldplay, Lily Allen and Robbie Williams, has struggled financially since it was bought in 2007 for 2.4 billion pounds by private equity firm Terra Firma Capital Partners.

 

Several big-name acts, including Radiohead and the Rolling Stones, quit the label amid the cutbacks and restructuring that followed Terra Firma's takeover.

 

An audited report released last week revealed that Terra Firma needs a huge cash infusion by June to avoid defaulting on its loans from Citigroup Inc. and may require more than $165 million to last through this year.

 

If funds can't be raised and the loan goes into default, Citigroup could seize EMI and cause it to be sold or broken up.

 

Abbey Road is one of the company's most high-profile assets, as both a recording studio and a tourist attraction for Beatles fans.

 

EMI bought the Georgian town house in London's residential St. John's Wood neighborhood in 1929 and turned it into one of the world's most sophisticated recording studios.

 

Since the 1960s, it has been one of the world's most famous rock music studios. Albums recorded there include Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," Wings' "Band on the Run" and Radiohead's "OK Computer."

 

It is most closely associated with The Beatles, who recorded most of their albums there. The crosswalk in front of the north London studio was immortalized on the cover The Beatles' final studio album, 1969's "Abbey Road."

 

Potential buyers beware: The famous black-and-white crossing is not included in the deal.

 

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100216/ap_en_mu/eu_britain_abbey_road

:facepalm: sad, so sad.

:angry:

 

The place should be turned into a musuem or something. It shouldn't be up for grabs.

^This.

I'll buy it! :cheesy:

because I'm just made of money... :(

the museum thing sounds like a good idea

Surely it's down as a listed building,

and if not, they could.

They can't do anything to this studio :bigcry:

actually yeah, I'd rather it didn't become a museum because it's my dream to record there one day.

I really really really hope someone good buys it! you're right, they cannot do anything to it. it can't happen!

National Trust may save Abbey Road studios

LONDON – Britain's National Trust may intervene to protect the Abbey Road studios where the Beatles recorded most of their hits.

 

The London studios are being put up for sale by the cash-strapped record company EMI.

 

The possibility that the studios might fall into private hands and be demolished has sparked a national outcry spurred by former Beatle Paul McCartney and prominent disk jockey Chris Evans.

 

The National Trust said Thursday that public input is being sought before making any decision to buy the studios.

 

A spokesman says the National Trust has already received an astonishing amount of support for the idea.

 

The value of the studios in the upscale St. John's Wood neighborhood is estimated at more than 10 million pounds ($16 million.)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100218/ap_en_mu/eu_britain_abbey_road

:D

Let's hope it isn't replaced by an Aldi or Lidl.:stunned: