Located in the Heart of the Music Industry

Capitol Records and Henson Recording Studios are in our Backyard

Hollywood isn’t for the faint of heart. People flock to the entertainment capital of the world to chase their creative calling. All have hopes to break into show business. Some make it big from viral internet success while it takes years for others to work their way up the ranks. Whatever opportunity comes your way, it’s advantageous to be a student here in Hollywood. 

The Los Angeles Film School and The L.A. Recording School (a division of L.A. Film) are smack in the middle of what is arguably one of the most famous cities in the world. Even our online students experience the Hollywood connection through our faculty, virtual industry events and networking opportunities. There is an abundance of music and entertainment history here, and we continue to thrive off the entertainment industry as a way of life.

What Hollywood Does Best: The Recording Studios

This town overflows with music—from the street performers playing on the corner of Hollywood and Highland, to the top tier artists recording at Capitol Records, Hollywood is truly the heart of the music industry, and we are right here in the middle of it.

Capitol Records Tower

You’ve probably seen the famous Capitol Records building (or, the Capitol Records Tower), whether by driving down the 101 Freeway or in countless films like Ocean’s 11, The Muppet Movie and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The 13-story circular building was designed by Welten Becket to resemble a stack of vinyl records and is an unmistakable and revered Hollywood landmark. The building, which was completed in 1956, features a 90-foot spire on the top of the building, which is meant to resemble the needle on a phonograph. And at the top of the spire? A red light that continuously blinks “Hollywood” in morse code. And we thought we couldn’t love this building anymore.

At the other end of the building—30 feet below ground—are the Capital Studios, consisting of eight subterranean, concrete bunker recording echo chambers (yes, you read that right). Here, some of the most famous artists have recorded some of their most historical albums. The list is staggering—from the Beatles (and in the time of Beatlemania, no less), Michael Jackson, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, The Eagles, Beastie Boys, Beck, Katy Perry, Mary J. Blige—are you impressed yet?

Henson Recording Studios

The Henson Recording Studios is yet another heavy-hitter in the music recording realm. Founded by Charlie Chaplin in 1917, Henson Studios was later purchased in 1966 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss as the headquarters of A&M Records. From there, A&M Records was swooped up by Universal Music in 1999 while the studio location and facilities finally landed in the hands of the Jim Henson Company. The name changed to Henson Recording Studios.

Rich in musical history, the roster of artists that have recorded at Henson Studios is astounding to name a few: The Supremes, Cat Stevens, The Doors, Carole King, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, The Police, U2, Stevie Nicks, Mötley Crüe, The Ramones, Rage Against The Machine, The Rolling Stones, Dr. Dre, Janet Jackson, Pearl Jam, Daft Punk, Destiny’s Child, Beyonce Knowles…the list goes on and on. The Kelly Clarkson Show even used Henson Studios to finish out Season 1 during COVID-19. Kelly Clarkson’s band recorded the popular musical segment called Kellyoke, where Kelly Clarkson covers a range of songs by popular artists.

Henson Studios is full of history and newer artists continue to contribute to Henson’s iconic history all the time.