Storied Philadelphia Studio Recreates Itself After Another Major One Closes
By Kim Glovas
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Sigma Sound studios closed recently, ending an era in the city's recording history. But there is another, lesser-known studio which is still kicking, and recreating itself.
EBE Entertainment sits on Delaware Avenue across from Sugarhouse Casino. But before this, founder Mike Gendler says it was a recording studio created by Obie O'Brien, head sound engineer for Bon Jovi:
"He built what then was called the Warehouse Recording Studio. When he built it, he started out with Bon Jovi, who they had just gotten a record deal and they recorded their first couple albums here."
A few years later, it transformed into RPM Rehearsal Studios. Gendler says he used to see Will Smith when he was just a kid:
"I would pass by and they would be just working on their first record, Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff, that was when their first record blew up and made them stars. But it was done right here."
Now, it's a full service entertainment space, which has even groomed several stars for American Idol.
Listen to the full interview with Mike Gendler on this CBS Philly podcast (trt: 32:06)...