Rolling Stones Mobile

Owned by The Rolling Stones, it was conceived by their tour manager Al Stewart. Built in 1968, the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio (RSM) was the first ever professional mobile recording studio. The console originally was built by Olympic Studios chief technician Dick Swettenham and his company Helios Electronics. In 1973 Tapani Tapanainen and Mick McKenna joined as engineers. Throughout the 1970s the mobile studio was upgraded significantly from a 16-track recorder to a 24-track recorder.

Originally only intended for use by the Stones, the mobile studio quickly became popular with other rock acts and has since been used by amongst others Dire Straits, Deep Purple, Lou Reed, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Horslips, Nazareth (2), Fleetwood Mac, Bad Company, Status Quo, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Wishbone Ash.

In 1996 the studio, still in its original form, was sold through auction at Bonham’s and brought to the U.S. by Loho Studios in New York City, New York, USA, making recordings including live performances of Patti Smith, and Edwin Ramones at CBGB. The National Music Centre in Calgary, Canada acquired It in November 2001.

Also credited as:
· Rolling Stones Mobile Unit
· The Rolling Stones Mobile
· The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio
· The Stones Mobile Unit