Berlin Recording Studios was founded in the 1980s by Blackpool entrepreneur Ron Sharples, who recognised that despite the town’s thriving music scene, there was no professional recording facility. At the time, he was also running a sign-making business, RS Plastics, one of the first in Blackpool to use cut vinyl lettering technology. Seeing the demand for a high-quality studio, he embarked on a project to create a space where artists could record professionally.
Ron Sharples not long after starting the recording studio
The studio was carefully designed and acoustically treated by professional builders, incorporating sand-filled walls and sound-absorbing carpet to ensure optimal sound quality. After extensive preparation, Berlin Studios opened its doors in May 1984, quickly establishing itself as a premier recording destination.
When Sharples’ stepson, John Sykes, returned to Blackpool, Sykes was asked to join the band Streetfighter by his friend Mervyn Goldsworthy. Sykes also performed in some of Blackpool’s clubs, including Jenks Bar. While in Blackpool, Sykes helped his stepfather run Berlin Recording Studios. Ultimately, he would join Tygers Of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake and Blue Murder.
Over the years, the studio has been at the heart of numerous success stories. In 2007, Joe Longthorne recorded his third collaborative album with Tim Duncan at Berlin Studios while on a UK tour. The album achieved platinum status, one of many milestones in the studio’s long history. With nearly four decades in the industry, Berlin Studios has produced hundreds of albums and thousands of singles, making it the go-to recording space for artists seeking professional results. The studio is home to some of the UK’s most respected producers and audio engineers, including Phil Harding, Tim Duncan, and James Routh. It remains the only recording studio in the area accredited by leading industry clients such as BBC Radio 2, Sky, ITV, Channel 4, Ragdoll Productions, and Lionsgate Studios, cementing its reputation as a hub for high-quality music production.
Text source: Deeper Bluewebsite Berlin Studios Website
Images by © Steve Sharples
