I just realized that the Allman Brothers got their start at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL. Duane lived in a tent in the FAME parking for for a while before he was heard. I always wondered how come the name Muscle Shoals rather than Mussel?
Yeah, I can't comment on the spelling but it's amazing how many big names recorded at either Fame studio or the Muscle Shoals studio. Of course, one of my favorites is Lynyrd Skynyrd's, "Sweet Home Alabama," which mentions the Swampers who were the Home studio band that backed most of the acts that recorded there.
Ruby and I have taken the tour of Muscle Shoals studio twice but haven't done the Fame studio tour yet. It's an hour and forty five minute drive from here but a fun thing to do when people visit from out of state.
"Sweet Home Alabama" was a response to Neil Young's song, "Southern Man."
I saw cotton and I saw black
Tall white mansions and little shacks
Southern man, when will you pay them back?
I heard screamin' and bullwhips cracking
How long? How long? How?
Southern man, better keep your head
Don't forget what your good book said
Southern change gonna come at last
Now your crosses are burning fast
Southern man
Lynyrd Skynyrd said this,
Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well I heard ol' Neil put her down
Well I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don't need him around anyhow
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord I'm comin' home to you
Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes they do)
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feelin' blue
Now how about you?