Bob Wayne started his audio career writing zany comedy songs for The Dr Demento (Radio) Show in the 1970’s. Needing a facility to put the songs down on tape…. you all remember recording tape…a studio was constructed in 1977 in Bob’s parents house with moderate objection from them at the time! … thus Sunburst Recording was born.
With his then partner Richard McAndrew, the studio was moved after one year to a larger facility…a two car garage that was reconfigured and soundproofed in nearby Westchester, another suburb of Los Angeles.
The goal of Sunburst was then and still is now to provide a recording facility that is private, comfortable and friendly…no Hollywood hype but all of the quality! A studio where all forms of music were welcome and specialized genres encouraged.
In this new facility, the studio recorded many of the then local musicians including Vince Gill, Ike Willis (lead vocalist from the Frank Zappa Band Joe’s Garage albums), Wrecking Crew studio musician / ABC’s Shindig lead guitarist Jerry Cole and Jazz pianist, arranger and composer Howlett Smith.
After four years, Sunburst had outgrown the garage studio environment. Bob also took over Richard’s share of the business and he then moved the studio to its present location in Culver City, California during 1982. This facility was built from the ground up inside of a relatively large commercial space.
The Culver City location allowed Bob to finally realize the kind of studio that could track full bands live and also provided for a more comfortable and spacious setting. The hardwood floors were invaluable in providing a recording room for string and horn sections. The new studio also easily housed the recently acquired Kawai Grand piano and our Hammond B-3/Leslie 122.
At this present location, Sunburst has been honored to be involved in a number of high profile projects during the past 30 years. Some of the highlights being a top 20 UK hit on EMI with Big Daddy in 1985, a number of feature film recordings including the academy award winning Election with Mathew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon and the cult classic Swingers with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. The studio has also received five Grammy Finalist nominations: winning a Grammy in 2001 for work on George Carlin's CD: Napalm & Sillyputty.
Sunburst now looks to the future with anticipation…the next great projects are just around the corner!
