WCA #614 with Michael Frondelli, Part 1 – Astoria, R&B Days, Salsa Nights, and Electric Lady

For episode 614, Matt talks with Michael Frondelli, producer, engineer, and former Vice President of Capitol Records Studios, where he ran the facility for eleven years before going independent in 2001. Michael grew up in Astoria, Queens. Tony Bennett took vocal lessons with his Uncle Sal. The Walken family ran the bakery on Steinway Street. He came up playing guitar in soul bands and rock bands in the 60s, studied business in college, landed a maintenance tech job at Broadway Recording on 1697 Broadway, and from there made his way to Electric Lady in November 1975, where he spent nine years. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Growing Up in Astoria, Queens
• Music in the Family and Learning Guitar
• Soul Bands, Rock Bands, and the 60s
• College, the Draft Lottery, and Moving to Manhattan
• Carpentry, Soundproofing, and Finding a Way Into Recording
• Broadway Recording at 1697 Broadway
• Learning to Listen, Watch, and Visualize Signal Path
• Landing at Electric Lady in 1975
• Nine Years in the Room: Zeppelin, Chick Corea, Jaco Pastorius, Joni Mitchell
• Working With Eddie Kramer on Song Remains the Same
• Rebel Yell: Finding Billy Idol a Drummer
• Keith Forsey, Charlie Sexton, and Don't You Forget About Me
• Getting Management and Learning the Business
• Going From $5 an Hour to $2,500 a Mix

Matt's RANT!: Revisiting Backing Up and Archiving

Links and Show Notes:

Michael's site

Credits:

• Guest: Michael Frondelli
• Host/Engineer/Producer: Matt Boudreau
• WCA Theme Music: Cliff Truesdell
• The Voice: Chuck Smith