American Sound Studio — Memphis

American Sound Studio at 827 Thomas Street in North Memphis was one of the most productive recording studios of the late 1960s and early 1970s — a facility that produced an astonishing 122 hit records between 1967 and 1972. Founded by Chips Moman in 1964, the studio's house band (the 827 Thomas Street Band, including guitarist Reggie Young, bassist Tommy Cogbill, and drummer Gene Chrisman) created a sound that was simultaneously soulful and commercial. The studio's most famous sessions were Elvis Presley's 'From Elvis in Memphis' recordings in January 1969, which produced 'In the Ghetto' and 'Suspicious Minds' — his comeback hits.

American Sound's client list is remarkable for its breadth: in addition to Presley, the studio recorded Neil Diamond ('Sweet Caroline'), Dusty Springfield (Dusty in Memphis, 1969, produced by Jerry Wexler), the Box Tops ('The Letter'), Wilson Pickett, Joe Tex, and B.J. Thomas ('Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head'). Chips Moman's production style — lean, punchy, with a keen pop sensibility applied to soul and country material — gave American Sound recordings a distinctive clarity that set them apart from the rawer output of Stax and FAME.

The American Sound Studio building at 827 Thomas Street was demolished in 2017 despite a preservation campaign, making it one of the most significant lost music heritage sites in the United States. A memorial marker was placed at the site. The loss of the building was widely condemned by music historians and preservationists.