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Bolic Sound

Bolic Sound Studios was a renowned complex in , founded by musician in 1970 following the commercial success of . The name "Bolic" derived from the maiden name of , Bullock. Originally a renovated furniture store at 1310 North , it featured two 16-track quadrasonic studios with lavish interiors, including an on-site apartment decorated in red velvet. The facility served as a creative hub for 's productions through I & TT Productions and other affiliated entities, enabling extensive experimentation with arrangements, tempos, and vocals on numerous unreleased and alternate tracks. During its operation until a mysterious destroyed it in January 1981—leaving it uninsured after Ike and Tina's —Bolic Sound hosted a diverse array of artists and produced landmark recordings across genres. Key albums recorded there include Workin' Together (1970), 'Nuff Said (1971), and Feel Good (1972), alongside Tina's solo effort (1975). Ike's own Blues Roots (1972) and various sessions compiled in the archival release The Bolic Sound Sessions (2021) originated from the studio's prolific output. Notable external projects included Frank Zappa's (1973), the first quadraphonic album, and his Apostrophe (') (1974), as well as sessions for , , , , , , and others like and . In 1973, it hosted ' inaugural college seminar, featuring an that underscored its role in music education and industry events. Despite Ike Turner's personal controversies, including legal issues at the studio in the 1970s and 1980s, Bolic Sound remains a pivotal site in rock, R&B, and soul history for its innovative facilities and influential contributions.

History

Establishment

In 1970, Ike Turner established Bolic Sound Studios in Inglewood, California, leveraging the rising success of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue to fund the project and achieve greater creative autonomy in music production. The studio's creation was motivated by Turner's desire for independence from major record labels, allowing him to produce and record material on his own terms without external interference. This initiative followed early hits like "Proud Mary," which provided the financial resources to pursue such an endeavor. Turner purchased a former furniture store at 1310 N. La Brea Avenue and converted it into a dedicated recording facility, renovating the structure from its original shell to suit professional audio needs. The name "Bolic Sound" derived from Tina Turner's maiden name, , symbolizing the partnership between and Tina Turner at the time. Initially designed for personal use, the studio featured a single 16-track recording room equipped with a custom mixing console designed by Daniel Flickinger, enabling high-quality multitrack production tailored to Turner's specifications. Alongside the studio, established several associated production entities within the building to support his multifaceted operations, including I & TT Productions for record production, Placid Music and HUH Music for publishing, and the Spud Nik Booking Agency for artist management. These companies centralized Turner's business activities, fostering an integrated environment for creating and distributing music under his direct oversight.

Operations and Peak

Following its initial setup, Bolic Sound underwent significant expansion in 1972 with the addition of two 16-track quadraphonic studios, comprising a larger facility designed for rental to external artists and a smaller one reserved exclusively for Turner's productions. This upgrade enhanced the studio's capacity to handle complex multitrack recordings while supporting a revenue-generating rental model that attracted major acts seeking high-end production capabilities. The larger studio became a hub for professional sessions, contributing to the facility's reputation as one of the most advanced independent operations in during the early 1970s. The rental approach proved instrumental in bolstering financial stability, particularly through high-profile bookings such as Frank Zappa's sessions for the album in spring 1973, where portions were tracked at Bolic Sound alongside collaborations involving Ike and Tina Turner's backing vocalists, . This period marked a commercial peak, exemplified by the recording of Ike & Tina Turner's album between June and September 1973 at the studio, which yielded the title track—a semi-autobiographical hit that reached number 22 on the and number 4 on the R&B chart, underscoring the venue's role in their artistic and economic success. External rentals and in-house projects like these helped sustain operations amid the duo's touring demands, with the studio hosting diverse genres from rock to soul. Day-to-day operations emphasized artist convenience and creativity, featuring dedicated spaces such as a rehearsal room equipped with storage for band gear and a private entrance, alongside an on-site luxury apartment suite that allowed performers to stay overnight during extended sessions. These amenities fostered an immersive environment, enabling seamless transitions from writing and practice to recording, and supported the studio's function as a self-contained creative hub for Ike Turner's inner circle and visiting talent alike.

Decline and Closure

The divorce of Ike and Tina Turner, finalized in 1976 after years of documented abuse and , severely impacted operations at Bolic Sound. Tina received a settlement that included Ike retaining full ownership of the studio, but the proceedings left him financially devastated, forcing him to liquidate equipment and assets to cover costs, including a lost three-record deal with and $1.5 million in canceled advance bookings from 1975. This led to reduced activity at the studio, as major artists and industry figures distanced themselves amid the public labeling Ike a wife-beater, contributing to broader financial strain and Ike's escalating addiction in the late 1970s. Failed projects, such as unsuccessful attempts to produce new recordings and secure rentals, further tied the studio to Ike's declining career, marked by erratic and inability to maintain its previous prominence. In March 1980, a team raided Bolic Sound, discovering in possession of seven grams of and a live hand , amid reports of him attempting to flush evidence down a . The incident stemmed from Ike's deepening drug issues, which had already alienated collaborators and limited studio use. Convicted of cocaine possession, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and placed on three years' , exacerbating his legal and financial woes as the studio faced on a $250,000 loan, prompting him to cancel its $30,000 annual and list the for sale. On January 20, 1981, Bolic Sound was destroyed in a suspected fire, with investigators finding evidence of flammable fluid poured along a hallway, which raged for nearly 18 hours and reduced the uninsured building to a charred shell. The blaze occurred amid Ike's mounting debts, legal troubles, and disputes over the property sale, though no official cause was confirmed and no arrests were made. Post-closure, the site at 1310 N in Inglewood remained vacant for years before being redeveloped into commercial space, with Ike Turner making no attempts to revive or rebuild the studio as his career continued to falter due to ongoing and convictions.

Facilities

Location and Design

Bolic Sound Studios was situated at 1310 N in , within a commercial district near and the broader music industry hub, providing convenient access for musicians traveling from across the region. The location in this industrial-adjacent neighborhood balanced affordability and proximity to the city's creative centers without the high costs of more central areas. selected and funded the site to support his production ambitions. The building originated as a furniture store, which acquired in 1970 as an empty shell and underwent extensive renovation over nearly a year, incorporating and custom spatial divisions to transform it into a professional recording complex. The design emphasized functionality for ensemble recordings in genres like , R&B, and rock, featuring expansive areas suitable for live band setups and rehearsals. The layout comprised two distinct studios—a larger one intended for external rentals and a smaller personal space—alongside a dedicated writer's room, administrative offices, a area equipped with recreational amenities including a pool table serving as a playroom for children, and an upstairs luxury apartment for extended stays during sessions. The apartment, accessed via a gold-lined door, featured furniture, a super-sized , a , and a golden globe console hiding a TV, stereo, and bar, providing comfort during extended sessions, while the ground-level spaces featured wood paneling and practical elements like a to support prolonged creative work.

Equipment and Technology

Bolic Sound featured two dedicated recording studios, each equipped with 16-track capabilities using and Stephens tape machines, which represented cutting-edge technology for multitrack production in the early . These setups allowed for layered instrumentation and vocals, surpassing the 8-track systems common in many contemporary facilities and enabling more complex arrangements during the era's shift toward expansive rock and soul productions. The studios were outfitted with custom-designed mixing consoles tailored to their needs: a 24-input/24-output Flickinger console in the smaller studio and a 24-input/16-output Stephens console in the larger one. The Flickinger installation, handled by Daniel Flickinger and Associates, incorporated high-quality preamplifiers and equalization options like Pultec and units, providing precise control over tonal balance and dynamics essential for professional mixes. Microphone selection included premium models such as Neumann condensers alongside Electro-Voice, RCA, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, and Telefunken options, supporting a wide range of recording techniques from close-miking instruments to ambient capture. Tape handling was facilitated by Ampex 4-track and 2-track machines in the larger studio, complemented by noise reduction tools like Kepex and processors from Langevin for clean signal paths. Monitoring relied on JBL speakers powered by Crown amplifiers, ensuring accurate playback in both live and control room environments. A key innovation at Bolic Sound was its support for quadraphonic recording and mixing, which facilitated immersive four-channel audio formats ahead of widespread adoption in the mid-1970s. This capability, integrated into the 16-track systems, allowed for spatial sound placement across front, rear, and side channels, enhancing depth in recordings. During peak operations, the equipment received ongoing maintenance and minor upgrades to align with advancements in Los Angeles-area studios, maintaining competitiveness through reliable tape heads and equalization refinements.

Artists and Recordings

Associated Artists

The Ike & Tina Turner Revue served as the primary users of Bolic Sound, recording numerous albums and singles there following the studio's opening in 1972, including the 1973 hit "." As Ike Turner's own facility, it became a hub for their productions, with the Revue leveraging the studio's setup for their signature blend of R&B, soul, and rock energy. Ike Turner's solo endeavors and side projects also prominently featured the studio, such as the 1973 instrumental album Confined to Soul by Ike Turner Presents the Family Vibes, a funk and soul outing backed by members of his longstanding Kings of Rhythm band. Additionally, Andre Williams co-produced Ike & Tina Turner's 1973 album Let Me Touch Your Mind at Bolic Sound, contributing to its soulful arrangements. These efforts highlighted Turner's role as a producer within the R&B scene. The studio attracted notable rental users through Ike Turner's industry connections, including , who conducted sessions there in spring 1973 for tracks on and Apostrophe ('), featuring backing vocals from and on tracks like "Dirty Love" and "Montana," with on "Cheepnis." is reported to have recorded there for post-Beatles projects. Other significant artists linked to Bolic Sound included , Ike's backing group who contributed to various Revue recordings and Zappa's 1973 work, and , whose debut single "Uptown Festival" was tracked there in 1976 under Soul Train Records. Additional artists who recorded at the studio include , , , , , and . Many of these associations stemmed from Turner's extensive network in the R&B and rock communities, facilitating short-term rentals and collaborations, such as Zappa's multi-week sessions that integrated local talent.

Notable Albums and Tracks

Bolic Sound served as the recording site for several key albums by , including (1973), which was tracked in July 1972 and featured two compositions by . The album showcased the duo's evolving soul-rock fusion, with Tina's lead vocals layered over Ike's arrangements in the studio's intimate setup. The single "Nutbush City Limits" (1973), penned by Tina Turner as a semi-autobiographical nod to her Tennessee roots, was recorded at Bolic Sound in May 1973 and became one of their signature hits, peaking at No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. This track exemplified Bolic Sound's role in capturing Tina's raw, energetic delivery, influencing the album of the same name, which was completed there from June to September 1973. Its funky rhythm and narrative lyrics helped propel Ike & Tina's commercial momentum during the early 1970s. Further highlighting the studio's versatility, The Gospel According to Ike and Tina (1974) was recorded at Bolic Sound in October and November 1973, blending gospel influences with R&B arrangements under Ike's production. The album featured covers of spiritual standards, recorded with the duo's live band to emphasize communal harmonies that echoed the studio's acoustically treated spaces. Frank Zappa utilized Bolic Sound for portions of Over-Nite Sensation (1973) and Apostrophe (') (1974), including the "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow" suite on the latter, with sessions occurring in spring 1973. These recordings incorporated backing vocals from Tina Turner and the Ikettes on tracks like "Dirty Love" and "Montana," adding a soulful edge to Zappa's experimental rock. Notably, Over-Nite Sensation employed quadraphonic mixing techniques at the studio, enhancing spatial effects in its surround sound release. Among other projects, Ike Turner's solo album (1972), credited to Ike Turner Presents the Family Vibes, was recorded at Bolic Sound in October 1971, featuring Ike's arrangements of blues and funk tracks with his sister Alline on vocals. Early singles by Shalamar, such as "Uptown Festival" (1977), were also cut there in 1976 by session musicians, marking the group's debut hit in the disco-soul vein. Key Ike & Tina Turner albums recorded at Bolic Sound include Workin' Together (1970), (1971), Feel Good (1972), and Tina's solo (1975), alongside Ike's Blues Roots (1972). During Bolic Sound's peak years, production techniques like vocal isolation for allowed for precise layering of her performances, isolating her from the full band to refine emotional intensity in tracks like those on Nutbush City Limits. The studio's output, particularly "," demonstrated its influence on mainstream R&B and rock hits, bridging Ike & Tina's style with broader pop accessibility.

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