Decca Studios

Decca Studios was a recording studio in West Hampstead, North London. The building began as Falcon Works in the 1880s, later becoming a venue with two halls for concerts and meetings. It was called West Hampstead Town Hall but operated as a hire venue. Crystalate Gramophone Record Manufacturing took it over in 1928, turning it into a recording studio. Decca Records moved its production there in 1937 after acquiring Crystalate’s record division. The studios became famous for recordings by major artists. John Mayall recorded *Blues from Laurel Canyon* there in 1968, while the Moody Blues made five albums, including *Days of Future Passed*. David Bowie cut his first single, "Liza Jane," in 1964. Fleetwood Mac formed after Peter Green recorded tracks there, and Marc Bolan recorded "The Wizard" in 1965. The Beatles famously failed their audition at Decca on New Year’s Day 1962. Today the building is Lilian Baylis House, used by English National Opera for rehearsals. It was listed Grade II in 2021. The studios once had a large live room for orchestras, built in 1961. Many classic albums, from The Rolling Stones’ debut to The Zombies’ *Begin Here*, were made there. The site remains a landmark for music history in London.