Fire Damages Hollywood Recording Studio

Los Angeles Fire Department investigators Tuesday sought the cause of a blaze that damaged a Hollywood studio where greats such as Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley and the Beatles recorded.

The fire at 1041 Production Studios, a roughly 100-by-50-foot building at 1041 N. Orange Drive, was reported about 7 p.m. Monday, and about 70 firefighters had it out in 18 minutes, a fire department spokesman said. No one was hurt.

The firefighters resuscitated a cat found unconscious in the two-story building and saved some clothing used in television commercial shoots.

"The firemen saved all my wardrobe, and it's fabulous because that's all rental," Stacey Anne told NBC4. "They saved the day."

The studio, believed to be one of the oldest of its kind in Hollywood, was used by major labels. Presley reportedly recorded hits such as "Jailhouse Rock" and "All Shook Up" there. The Beach Boys, Sam Cooke and Louis Armstrong also reportedly recorded in the nondescript building with one side facing Santa Monica Boulevard.

Members of the band Dead Day Revolution were at the studio Monday night, preparing for an upcoming concert at Saddle Ranch in Studio City.

"It was really smoky back there," Mike Sandoz of Dead Day Revolution told NBC4. "We're going to have to figure out where we're going to practice before the show."     

Part of the roof caved in, and the second floor was extensively damaged. According to a published report, the studio was once known as Radio Recorders and built in 1929 by the Victor Talking Machine Co.     

Firefighters have yet to put a dollar figure on the damage.

—  City News Service