FAME Celebrates Heritage Through New Partnerships with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Ace Records

Legendary FAME Studios of Muscle Shoals, Ala. is celebrating its heritage with donations to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives and the release of a 3-disc box set of vintage recordings made at the illustrious studios. Since its inception in 1959, the likes of Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett have captured their sound at the northern Alabama landmark, and this archive further illuminates the rich history of the studio. 

The donations made to the research library at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives will include unique documents and rare vinyl records. Among them, a handful of personal effects from FAME founder, Rick Hall, will be donated. Hall’s phonebook, page after page of the music industry’s biggest and most influential names, will be included in this generous gift.

The bass guitars plucked on tracks by the legendary FAME studio musicians, amps used in recordings, rare vinyl, letters between FAME and artists, and contracts are also some of the items to be featured in the historical display at the Hall of Fame. 

Also celebrating the Muscle Shoals Sound is London-based Ace Records who will be releasing a 3-disc box set of FAME music recorded before 1973. The compilation, set for release in spring of 2011, will include 75 handpicked songs like Wilson Pickett’s “Land of a Thousand Dances” and other quintessential southern soul tracks. This in-depth look into FAME’s catalogue will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first hit, Arthur Alexander’s “You Better Move On.”

“The plans for Ace Records to do an extensive FAME box set have been in the works for years,” says Rodney Hall, President of FAME Publishing and House of FAME Publishing. “We are very excited about getting these southern soul classics on the market, many of which have never been released on anything but vinyl." 

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives donation and box set released by Ace are all an integral part of the archival process FAME is implementing in order to preserve the opulent history of the Muscle Shoals music movement. FAME is nurturing its soulful beginnings in every aspect by unearthing their roots and nourishing new growth with their current line-up of country rock and soul artists. 

To find out more about the donations to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives, the Ace Records box set, FAME Studios, House of FAME Publishing and the artists and contributors, visit www.FAME2.com.